Summary

SQL Server 2005 is a significant step up from its predecessors when it comes to database engine architecture enhancements. This chapter covers SQL Server 2005's architectural enhancements and innovations. The chapter begins with an explanation of a core SQL Server engine component called SQLOS, followed by information on NUMA support in SQL Server 2005. The chapter then discusses query processing and optimization enhancements, followed by the new scalability and performance functionality called row versioning. Next, changes to the metadata and security architectures are discussed. The final section in this chapter presents an overview of storage engine enhancements.

It is important that you understand the feature and enhancements that necessitated the architectural changes discussed in this chapter. Chapter 3, "SQL Server 2005 Setup and Deployment," covers information related to installing and upgrading SQL Server. The rest of the book explores new features introduced in SQL Server 2005.