Download – Service Pack 2 for SQL Server 2016

Title: Service Pack 2 for Microsoft SQL Server 2016
Published: 04/9/2018
Publisher: Microsoft Corporation
Version: 13.0.5026.0 
File size: 774.1 MB
File name: SQLServer2016SP2-KB4052908-x64-ENU.exe
Download URL: Click here to download

DESCRIPTION

Microsoft SQL Server 2016 service packs are cumulative updates and upgrade all https://slotspie.ca/ editions and service levels of SQL Server 2016 SP1 to SP2. This service pack contains up to and including SQL Server 2016 SP1 Cumulative Update 8 (CU8).

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Upgrading SQL Evaluation to Volume License

THE SCENARIO

  • You’ve installed SQL 2008 R2 (or newer) in 180-day evaluation mode as a pilot project (or proof-of-concept).
  • The project is successful and you get a green light.
  • The client purchases SQL through Microsoft Volume Licensing.
  • You want to simply add the license key to the SQL server that’s currently in evaluation mode, activate it, and move on.

THE RUB

  1. And if you look up your keys in Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (MS VLSC), there are no keys for SQL.Dude - where's my SQL volume license keys
  2. And the second problem is that even if you had the key, the location to enter the SQL key on the trial server isn’t very obvious.

SOLUTION 1 – How to Get Your MS VLSC SQL Key

If you call Microsoft Volume License support, they will tell you that the keys are imbedded in the product (which is true) and that they can not give you the key information (which may or may not be true, depending on who you’re talking to).

Even worse, the VLSC tech support folks will advise you to remove the SQL installation, download the VLSC ISO, and install FROM SCRATCH.

This is a complete waste of time and a bunch of garbage!

Side note: I asked the VLSC support specialist why there’s a place to enter the key in SQL if the Volume License version of SQL doesn’t have a key. She said “That key is just for if you purchase Retail SQL”.

Again, this is complete garbage!

Rest easy and fear not! — You don’t have to reinstall SQL all over again just to activate it with a volume license key.

Here’s the work-around I used:

IMPORTANT: These steps are on a Hyper-V Server.
NOT on your SQL Evaluation server!

  1. Log into Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center and download your SQL ISO (this ISO is pre-keyed).
    https://www.microsoft.com/Licensing/servicecenter/

    Download the pre-keyed SQL ISO from VLSC

  2. Spin up a generic Server 2012 or 2012 R2 virtual machine in Hyper-V.
    (This should only take about 5 minutes if you have a pre-baked VM).
  3. Add the .NET 3.5 Framework

    GUI version
    Server Manager | Manage | Add Roles and Features | Next | Next | Next | Next | .NET Framework 3.5 Features | Next | Install

    PowerShell
    Install-WindowsFeature Net-Framework-Core

  4. Attach the SQL Volume License ISO to the virtual machine.

    Attach the ISO to the virtual machine

  5. Boot the VM, set the admin password in the OOBE windows, then run the Setup.exe file on the SQL DVD / ISO.

    Double-click the SQL Setup.exe installer

  6. Run the program without getting any help.*

    *If you get a compatibility error on 2012 R2 with SQL 2008 R2, you can safely ignore it. (We’re just using this VM to get the key and will blow the VM away when we’re done).

    Ignore this error 

    …the setup bootstrapper continues…

    wait

  7. Installation | New installation or add features to an existing installation.

    New installation of SQL on the Hyper-V VM (temporary

  8. Run the program without getting help.
    (Ignore the Program Compatibility Assistant warning again.)

    Ignore this error too

    …as the SQL turns…

    more waiting

  9. On Setup Support Roles, click OK.

    Please put your tray tables and seat backs in the full upright position to prepare for departure

    …more SQL zzzzzz…

    stuck on the tarmac

  10. …and BOO-YAH, there is your Microsoft Volume License key for SQL!

    Touchdown! Here's your SQL Volume License key!

  11. Record that SQL Volume License key in a safe place.
  12. You can now shut down and blow away that virtual server.

SOLUTION 2 – The Key Entry Location

Here are the instructions for where to install the SQL Volume License key on your trial server to activate it into a full-blown VL goodness.

IMPORTANT: These steps are on the SQL EVALUATION server.
Make sure you have a good backup of the server before you continue!

  1. Start | All Programs | Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 | Configuration Tools | SQL Server Installation Center (64-bit)

    SQL Server Configuration Manager

  2. Maintenance | Edition Upgrade

    Edition upgrade

    …SQL churns…

    Circling the airport

  3. On the Setup Support Rules page, click OK.

    Click OK again

    …more SQL churning…

    Last wait period

  4. Enter the product key | Next.

    Enter your SQL Volume License key here

  5. Accept the EULA | Next.

    Accept the EULA

  6. Specify the instance of SQL Server (the evaluation one) | Next.

    Pick your SQL instance

    …waiting…

    duh!

  7. On the Edition Upgrade Rules page, click Next.

    Click next

  8. On the Ready to upgrade edition page, click Upgrade.

    Click Upgrade

  9. Congratulations, you’re done! Click Close.

    Click close.

Hopefully this tip will save you from the ‘mandatory’ reinstallation of SQL just to change from evaluation mode to a Volume License key.

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24 Free eBooks from Microsoft Press

Since we’re talking about eBooks, here are two dozen more free eBooks from Microsoft Press.

Note: The eBook web page was originally created on May 4, 2012, but was recently updated on December 29, 2013.

Free Microsoft eBooks

Titles:

  • Rethinking Enterprise storage – A Hybrid Cloud Model
  • Introducing Windows Azure for IT Professionals
  • Microsoft System Center – Designing Orchestrator Runbooks
  • Microsoft System Center – Configuration Manager Field Experience
  • Microsoft System Center – Cloud Management with App Controller
  • Microsoft System Center – Troubleshooting Configuration Manager
  • Microsoft System Center – Optimizing Service Manager
  • Introducing: Microsoft System Center 2012 R2 – Technical Overview
  • Introducing: Windows 8.1 for IT Professionals – Technical Overview
  • Introducing: Windows Server 2012 R2 – Technical Overview
  • Programming Windows Store Apps with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
  • .NET Technology Guide for Business Applications
  • Introducing: Windows Server 2012 – RTM Edition
  • Introducing: Microsoft SQL Server 2012
  • Programming Windows 8 Apps with HTML, CSS and JavaScript
  • Microsoft Office 365
  • Security and Privacy for Microsoft Office 2010 Users
  • Introducing: Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2
  • Introducing: Windows Server 2008 R2
  • Understanding Microsoft Virtualization Solutions – Second Edition
  • First Look: Microsoft Office 2010
  • Deploying Windows 7
  • Moving to Microsoft Visual Studio 2010
  • Programming Windows Phone 7

URL: Click here to download

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Download: Microsoft SQL Server 2014 CTP2 Guide

Title: Microsoft SQL Server 2014 CTP2 Product Guide
Publisher: Microsoft Corporation
Published: 10/14/2013
Version: 4.0
File Name: SQL_Server_2014_CTP2_Product_Guide.zip
Size: 29.7 MB
Price: FREE
Download URL: Click here for download

DESCRIPTION

Download the datasheets, white papers and technical presentations that will help you evaluate Microsoft SQL Server 2014 CTP2.

This download includes multiple PDFs and other files:

Microsoft SQL Server 2014 CTP2 Product Guide - Content 1

Microsoft SQL Server 2014 CTP2 Product Guide - Content 2

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Downloads – Free Introducing SQL 2012 eBook

Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2012Title: Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2012
Authors: Ross Mistry & Stacia Misner
Publisher: Microsoft Press
Published: March 2012
Pages: 288
File size: .PDF 10.8 MB
Price: FREE
Download URL: Click here to download

Description:

Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 explores the exciting enhancements and new capabilities engineered into SQL Server, ranging from improvements in operation to those in reporting and management. This book is for anyone who has an interest in SQL Server 2012 and wants to understand its capabilities, including database administrators, application developers, and technical decision makers.

Table of Contents:

           PART I – DATABASE ADMINISTRATION (by Ross Mistry)

  1. SQL Server 2012 Editions and Engine Enhancements
  2. High-Availability and Disaster-Recovery Enhancements
  3. Performance and Scalability
  4. Security Enhancements
  5. Programmability and Beyond-Relational Enhancements
     
    PART II – BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE DEVELOPMENT (by Stacia Misner)
  6. Integration Services
  7. Data Quality Services
  8. Master Data Services
  9. Analysis Services and PowerPivot
  10. Reporting Services
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Download – Free SQL 2008 R2 eBook

Ebook - SQL Server 2008 R2 Title: Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2
Author: Ross Mistry and Stacia Misner
Publisher: Microsoft Press
Date Published: © 2010 Microsoft Corporation
Pages: 236
File size: PDF 7.7 MB
Price: FREE
Download URL: Click here to download PDF

Description:

The purpose in Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 is to point out both the new and the improved in the latest version of SQL Server. Because this version is Release 2 (R2) of SQL Server 2008, you might think the changes are relatively minor—more than a service pack, but not enough to justify an entirely new version. However, as you read this book, we think you will find that there are a lot of exciting enhancements and new capabilities engineered into SQL Server 2008 R2  that will have a positive impact on your applications, ranging from improvements in operation to those in management. It is definitely not a minor release!

Organization:

PART I   Database Administration

  • CHAPTER 1   SQL Server 2008 R2 Editions and Enhancements
  • CHAPTER 2   Multi-Server Administration
  • CHAPTER 3   Data-Tier Applications
  • CHAPTER 4   High Availability and Virtualization Enhancements
  • CHAPTER 5   Consolidation and Monitoring

PART II   Business Intelligence Development

  • CHAPTER 6   Scalable Data Warehousing
  • CHAPTER 7   Master Data Services
  • CHAPTER 8   Complex Event Processing with StreamInsight
  • CHAPTER 9   Reporting Services Enhancements
  • CHAPTER 10   Self-Service Analysis with PowerPivot

Source: Found via Eric Ligman’s blog

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