Code-named Denali – the next version of SQL Server is fast approaching.

And whenever CTP2 gets released (is this still unconfirmed?) you can be sure to expect some excellent new features.

Over the next week or so, I aim to delve into these delights, highlighting those to look out for.

Day 1 – SQL Server AlwaysOn

One of the most talked about new features of Denali is the SQL Server Always ON feature. Also called HADR – High Availability and Disaster Recovery.

It aims to enhance the availability of user databases in your enterprise environment.  Notice the word ‘enhance’ there – and not ‘replace’.

In simple terms, AlwaysON is a high-availability and disaster recovery solution, which will enable you maximize availability of your critical user databases by use of “availability groups”

Availability groups are set of failover partners (availability replicas) to provide high availability to user databases in Denali. 

Basically it now supports multiple-database failover and more than one active  secondary site (up to 4 in current CTP).

This means the databases residing in the ‘mirrored’ sites can quite easily be used, without fear, for backups or reporting purposes etc.

Rumour has it – this feature also comes with an idiot proof setup wizard (result!)

Refer to the new Books-on-line for more details.

Microsoft reference – http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-gb/sqlserver/gg490638(en-us,MSDN.10)

Also – an excellent blog post by Brent Ozar can be read at http://www.brentozar.com/archive/2010/11/sql-server-denali-database-mirroring-rocks/