Microsoft to bring SQL Server to the clouds

Microsoft's chief software architect Ray Ozzie announced plans to bring the company's flagship SQL Server into the clouds at the MIX08 keynote last week. Called SQL Server Data Services (SSDS), it involves an architecture that extends SQL Server into utility computing. Though SSDS appears similar to Amazon's SimpleDB, Microsoft architect Nigel Ellis gave assurances that the design of SSDS has only just started and that, "four months from now, it's going to look very different." SSDS is envisaged as a central data hub and integrates with Microsoft's .NET Sync Framework, synchronizing with data on multiple devices. The service is expected to go into public beta later this year, with a full release expected in the first half of 2009. 

For more on Microsoft's SQL Data Services:
- check out this Reg Developer article