SQL Updates Newsletter - February 2015

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Recent Releases and Announcements

·         An on-demand hotfix update package is available for SQL Server 2008 R2 SP3

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3033860/en-us

·         An on-demand hotfix update package is available for SQL Server 2008 SP4

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3034373/en-us

·         Cumulative Update #6 for SQL Server 2014 RTM

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3031047

·         SQL Release Services Blog

o        https://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlreleaseservices/

·         Downloadable Windows Server 2012 R2 Editions Features Comparison

o        https://blogs.technet.com/b/ausoemteam/archive/2015/02/28/downloadable-windows-server-2012-r2-editions-features-comparison.aspx

·         AMD VP talks about Windows 10, virtual reality, security, and the future

o        https://blogs.technet.com/b/cdnitmanagers/archive/2015/02/25/amd-vp-roy-taylor-talks-about-windows-10-virtual-reality-security-and-the-future.aspx

·         Increasing Visibility for Our Customers: Announcing the Cloud Platform Roadmap Site

o        https://blogs.technet.com/b/serverandtools/archive/2015/02/02/increasing-visibility-for-our-customers-announcing-the-cloud-platform-roadmap-site.aspx

·         Announcing the Sway preview

o        https://blogs.technet.com/b/nzedu/archive/2015/02/03/the-latest-updates-on-sway-preview.aspx

·         Azure Machine Learning – General Availability

o         https://blogs.technet.com/b/andrew/archive/2015/02/16/azure-machine-learning-february-2015-update.aspx

·         Microsoft's Bing prediction engine correctly predicts all six top Oscars 2015 winners

o        https://blogs.technet.com/b/machinelearning/archive/2015/02/24/microsoft-39-s-bing-prediction-engine-correctly-predicts-all-six-top-oscars-2015-winners.aspx

·         Microsoft Azure VM Readiness Assessment

o        https://blogs.technet.com/b/cbernier/archive/2015/02/18/microsoft-azure-virtual-machine-readiness-assessment.aspx

·         New Azure Backup update supports offline disk shipment and increases the number of backup copies and retention policies

o        https://blogs.technet.com/b/dpm/archive/2015/02/09/new-azure-backup-update-supports-offline-disk-shipment-and-increases-the-number-of-backup-copies-and-retention-policies-in-windows.aspx

·         Map Toolkit 9.2 is now available

o        https://blogs.technet.com/b/mapblog/archive/2015/02/11/map-toolkit-9-2-now-available.aspx

·         Microsoft's Bing prediction engine correctly predicts all six top Oscars 2015 winners

o        https://blogs.technet.com/b/machinelearning/archive/2015/02/24/microsoft-39-s-bing-prediction-engine-correctly-predicts-all-six-top-oscars-2015-winners.aspx

·         Cloud Platform Release Announcements for February 18, 2015

o        https://blogs.technet.com/b/stbnewsbytes/archive/2015/02/18/cloud-platform-release-announcements-for-february-18-2015.aspx 

·         Windows 10 Technical Preview for Phones

o        https://blogs.technet.com/b/rspilman/archive/2015/02/12/windows-10-technical-preview-for-phones.aspx

·         Microsoft HoloLens and the Internet of Things. Two sides of the same coin?

o        https://blogs.msdn.com/b/premier_developer/archive/2015/02/10/microsoft-hololens-and-the-internet-of-things-two-sides-of-the-same-coin.aspx

·         Announcing DevScope's PowerShell module for Power BI API's 

o        https://blogs.msdn.com/b/user_ed/archive/2015/02/27/devscope-s-awesome-powershell-module-for-power-bi-api-s.aspx

·         Visual Studio 2015 CTP 6 and Team Foundation Server 2015 CTP Released!

o        https://blogs.msdn.com/b/premier_developer/archive/2015/02/23/visual-studio-2015-ctp-6-and-team-foundation-server-2015-ctp-released.aspx

o        https://blogs.msdn.com/b/stevelasker/archive/2015/02/23/visual-studio-2015-ctp6-and-salesforce-connected-services.aspx

·         Microsoft Deployment Toolkit(MDT) and Windows 10...coming soon!

o        https://blogs.technet.com/b/msdeployment/archive/2015/02/04/mdt-and-windows-10-coming-soon.aspx

·         6 New Updates to the Power BI Designer Preview

o        https://blogs.msdn.com/b/powerbi/archive/2015/02/19/6-new-updates-for-the-power-bi-preview-february-2015.aspx

o        Entity Framework Beta ef6.1.3 Beta 1 Available https://blogs.msdn.com/b/adonet/archive/2015/02/12/ef6-1-3-beta-1-available.aspx

·         Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for February 2015

o        There is a critical IE, Kernel, and Group Policy update for this month:

o        https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/ms15-feb

·         Support for SQL Server 2014 with System Center 2012 R2 Update Rollup 5

o        https://blogs.technet.com/b/systemcenter/archive/2015/02/23/support-for-sql-server-2014-with-system-center-2012-r2-update-rollup-5.aspx

·         SQL Server AlwaysOn template in the Azure Preview Portal updated

o        https://blogs.technet.com/b/solutions_advisory_board/archive/2015/02/09/sql-server-alwayson-template-in-the-azure-preview-portal-updated.aspx

·         Introducing the Apache Storm project

o        https://blogs.msdn.com/b/bluewatersql/archive/2015/02/24/introduction-to-apache-storm.aspx

·         Description of Update Rollup 5 for Windows Azure Pack

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3023209

·         Windows Hotfixes for February 2015

o        https://blogs.msdn.com/b/winsdk/archive/2015/02/11/hotfixes-for-february-2015.aspx

·         Microsoft Releases Azure HDInsight on Linux and Machine Learning GA at Strata Conference

o        https://blogs.technet.com/b/dataplatforminsider/archive/2015/02/18/microsoft-releases-azure-hdinsight-on-linux-and-machine-learning-ga-at-strata-conference.aspx

·         Microsoft JDBC Driver Now Supports JDK7

o        https://blogs.msdn.com/b/jdbcteam/archive/2015/02/04/microsoft-jdbc-driver-now-supports-jdk7.aspx

·         SQL Data Tools New Advanced Publish Options

o        https://blogs.msdn.com/b/ssdt/archive/2015/02/23/new-advanced-publish-options-to-specify-object-types-to-exclude-or-not-drop.aspx

·         Recent Whitepapers/E-books/Training:

o        IT Camp Azure Labs

§         https://blogs.technet.com/b/danstolts/archive/2015/02/05/it-camp-azure-labs-appendix-extra-labs-step-by-step.aspx

o        IT-Camp Azure Labs–Appendix Extra Labs–Step-By-Step

§         https://blogs.technet.com/b/danstolts/archive/2015/02/05/it-camp-azure-labs-appendix-extra-labs-step-by-step.aspx

o        Webinar: SQL Server for Mission Critical Applications

§         https://blogs.technet.com/b/dataplatforminsider/archive/2015/02/27/webinar-sql-server-for-mission-critical-applications.aspx

o        Microsoft Azure Fundamentals: Storage and Data: (18) Understanding Azure SQL

§         https://channel9.msdn.com/Series/Microsoft-Azure-Fundamentals-Storage-and-Data/18

o        Developing Microsoft SQL Server Databases

§         https://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/training-courses/developing-microsoft-sql-server-databases?prid=ch9videolink

o        Designing Database Solutions for SQL Server

§         https://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/training-courses/designing-database-solutions-for-sql-server?prid=ch9videolink 

o        Monitoring of the SQL Server 2014 with System Center

§         https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/System-Center/System-Center-Universe-2015/Monitoring-of-the-SQL-Server-2014-with-System-Center

o        Windows Server vNext: Sneak Peak from Microsoft

§         https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/System-Center/System-Center-Universe-2015/Windows-Server-vNext-Sneak-Peak-from-Microsoft

o        What's New in Microsoft Azure IaaS

§         https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/System-Center/System-Center-Universe-2015/Whats-New-in-Microsoft-Azure-IaaS

o        Azure webinar: Introduction to Azure Machine Learning

§         https://blogs.msdn.com/b/arvindsh/archive/2015/02/24/azure-vidyapeeth-webinar-introduction-to-azure-machine-learning.aspx?PageIndex=4

o        Updated Whitepaper: Introducing Microsoft BI Reporting and Analysis Tools

§         https://blogs.msdn.com/b/user_ed/archive/2015/02/26/updated-whitepaper-introducing-microsoft-bi-reporting-and-analysis-tools.aspx

o        FREE Technology Day - March 14 - Microsoft Reston, VA

§         https://blogs.technet.com/b/cmpfekevin/archive/2015/02/21/free-technology-day-march-14-microsoft-reston-va.aspx

o        A Lap Around Azure Websites Virtual Academy – All the Questions and Links from the Talk

§         https://blogs.msdn.com/b/cdndevs/archive/2015/02/09/a-lap-around-azure-websites-all-the-questions-and-links-from-the-talk.aspx

o        Free Online Azure Partner Training

§         https://blogs.msdn.com/b/auspartners/archive/2015/02/28/free-online-azure-partner-training.aspx

Issue Alert

·         Critical issue in SQL Server 2012 Service Pack 1 that could crash your SQL server

o        https://blogs.msdn.com/b/axinthefield/archive/2013/10/31/sql-server-2012-service-pack-1-issue-that-could-crash-your-server.aspx

·         Critical: Do NOT delete files from the Windows Installer folder. C:\windows\Installer is not a temporary folder and files in it should not be deleted. If you do it on machines on which you have SQL Server installed you may have to rebuild the operating system and reinstall SQL Server.

o        https://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlserverfaq/archive/2013/04/30/do-not-delete-files-from-the-windows-installer-folder.aspx

·         Important: You must precede all Unicode strings with a prefix N when you deal with Unicode string constants in SQL Server

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/239530

·         FIX: Error when you run a query that contains "Use database_name" or "Execute Stored_Procedure_name" command

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3035071

·         FIX: Cannot enable the change tracking in Azure SQL Database V12 that supports change tracking

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3035077

·         FIX: Cannot use SQL Server 2014 SQL Profiler to connect to an instance of SQL Server 2005

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3036330

·         FIX: Memory leak occurs when you run DBCC CHECKDB against a database in SQL Server 2014

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3034615

·         FIX: Incorrect data returned when you query the DATE column in SQL Server 2014

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3030619

·         FIX: OS error 665 when you execute DBCC CHECKDB command for database that contains columnstore index in SQL Server 2014

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3029977

·         FIX: Access denied when a newly added user browses to an MDS website in SQL Server 2014

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3032067

·         "XACT_E_CONNECTION_DOWN" error on SQL Server instances after you restart MS DTC in Windows 8 or Windows server 2012

o         https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3024331

·         FIX: SQL Server is in script upgrade mode for a long time after you apply a SQL Server hotfix or security update

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3013551

·         Large query compilation waits on RESOURCE_SEMAPHORE_QUERY_COMPILE in SQL Server 2014

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3024815

·         FIX: Duplicate sequence value is generated when you run sp_sequence_get_range in parallel with NEXT VALUE FOR function

o        https://support.microsoft.com/b/3021757

·         FIX: Sequence object generates duplicate sequence values when SQL Server 2012 or SQL Server 2014 is under memory pressure

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3011465

·         FIX: Insufficient memory error when you run an XML Validation Control Flow task on a large input file in SSIS 2012 or SSIS 2014

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3013553

·         FIX: Arithmetic overflow error occurs when you add manually initialized subscriptions for publication in SQL Server

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3016165

·         FIX: Database corruption after you perform a ProcessData and then ProcessRecalc operation in SSAS 2012 or SSAS 2014

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3016384

·         FIX: SSAS 2012 or SSAS 2014 crashes when a writeback commit transaction and batch processing are executed concurrently

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3017544

·         FIX: Duplicate sequence value is generated when you run sp_sequence_get_range in parallel with NEXT VALUE FOR function

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3021757

·         FIX: Access violation occurs when you run and then cancel a query on distinct count partitions in SSAS 2012 or SSAS 2014

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3025408

·         FIX: The transaction isolation level is reset incorrectly when the SQL Server connection is released in SQL Server 2014

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3025845

·         FIX: SOS_CACHESTORE spinlock contention on system table rowset cache causes high CPU usage in SQL Server 2012 or 2014

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3026082

·         FIX: SOS_CACHESTORE spinlock contention on ad hoc SQL Server plan cache causes high CPU usage in SQL Server 2012 or 2014

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3026083

·         FIX: Maintenance Plan performs offline index rebuild for large object table in SQL Server 2012 or SQL Server 2014

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3027214

·         FIX: Access violation occurs when you delete rows from a table that has clustered columnstore index in SQL Server 2014

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3029762

·         FIX: DBCC CHECKDB and DBCC CHECKTABLE take longer to run when SQL CLR UDTs are involved in SQL Server 2012 or SQL Server 2014

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3029825

·         FIX: OS error 665 when you execute DBCC CHECKDB command for database that contains columnstore index in SQL Server 2014

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3029977

·         FIX: Error occurs when you connect to the database engine after you install CU4 for SQL Server 2014

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3030041

·         FIX: The scheduled refresh only occurs every other day instead of every day in SQL Server 2014 PowerPivot data refresh

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3030325

·         Error 17066 or 17310 during SQL Server startup

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3027860

·         FIX: Error 8646 when you run DML statements on a table with clustered columnstore index in SQL Server 2014

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3035165

·         FIX: AlwaysOn availability groups are reported as NOT SYNCHRONIZING

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3034679

·         FIX: Cannot close the connections made by sqlagent.exe when SQL Server and SQL Server Agent run for several days

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3034297

·         FIX: Cannot show requested dialog after you connect to the latest SQL Database Update V12 (preview) with SQL Server 2014

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3032087

·         FIX: Incorrect data returned when you query the DATE column in SQL Server 2014

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3030619

·         FIX: The value of statement_start_offset column is incorrect in DMV sys.dm_exec_requests in SQL Server 2014

o        https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3036328

·         SSIS: Transferring Data from Flat File to SQL "The column delimiter for column was not found."

o        https://blogs.msdn.com/b/mahajakv/archive/2015/02/12/ssis-transferring-data-from-flat-file-to-sql-quot-the-column-delimiter-for-column-was-not-found-quot.aspx

·         SQL Server Reporting Services 2012 SP2 CU3 Report Rendering Issues

o        https://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlreleaseservices/archive/2015/02/04/sql-server-reporting-services-2012-sp2-cu3-report-rendering-issues.aspx

·         Snapshot agent fails with Error: 241, Severity: 16, State: 1 (Conversion failed when converting date and/or time from character string)

o        https://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlserverfaq/archive/2015/02/10/snapshot-agent-fails-with-error-241-severity-16-state-1-conversion-failed-when-converting-date-and-or-time-from-character-string.aspx

·         Improve performance by optimizing queries for ASP.NET Identity and other Membership Providers

o        https://blogs.msdn.com/b/webdev/archive/2015/02/11/improve-performance-by-optimizing-queries-for-asp-net-identity-and-other-membership-providers.aspx

·         Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Best Practice Analyzer fails with “Engine - Login does not exist or is not a member of the System Administrator role”

o        https://blogs.msdn.com/b/ialonso/archive/2015/02/04/microsoft-sql-server-2008-r2-best-practice-analyzer-fails-with-engine-login-does-not-exist-or-is-not-a-member-of-the-system-administrator-role.aspx

·         Cannot insert an explicit value into a timestamp column. Use INSERT with a column list to exclude the timestamp column, or insert a DEFAULT into the timestamp column.

o        https://blogs.msdn.com/b/cannot_insert_an_explicit_value_into_a_timestamp_column/archive/2015/02/17/cannot-insert-an-explicit-value-into-a-timestamp-column-use-insert-with-a-column-list-to-exclude-the-timestamp-column-or-insert-a-default-into-the-timestamp-column.aspx

·         Beware Compatibility Level 90 is no longer Available in SQL 2014

o        https://blogs.msdn.com/b/arvindsh/archive/2015/02/04/beware-compatibility-level-90-is-no-longer-available-in-sql-2014.aspx?PageIndex=16

·         Excel Online - Data Refresh may time out

o        https://blogs.technet.com/b/office_online_support_blog/archive/2015/02/18/excel-online-data-refresh-may-time-out.aspx

Fany Carolina Vargas | SQL Dedicated Premier Field Engineer | Microsoft Services