SQL Server 2005 gets second service pack

Microsoft has released a second free service pack -- a large, recommended update -- for its popular SQL Server 2005 database application.

The update makes SQL Server 2005 compatible with Microsoft's new Windows Vista operating system and Office 2007 suite, and adds a number of data compression, manageability and interoperability enhancements. Microsoft has also changed the terms under which SQL Server 2005 can be run using virtualisation software.

"Microsoft ... is expanding virtualisation use rights to allow unlimited virtual instances on servers that are fully licensed for SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition," the company said in a statement announcing the SP2 update.

Microsoft also said it had submitted SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 1 to the German government to be certified under the Common Criteria security standard. SQL Server 2005 SP2 is undergoing evaluation for the EAL4+ standard.

"Applying for Common Criteria certification -- a procurement requirement of many governments and a preference for several industries and customers -- demonstrates Microsoft's commitment to building security technology into SQL Server 2005," Microsoft said.

"The Common Criteria evaluations of SP1 and SP2 will be formally recognised by the governments of 24 countries that signed the Common Criteria Recognition Agreement, including Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, and informally recognised by as many as 30 additional countries."

SQL Server 2005 SP2 can be downloaded here.