SQL Server 2005 and 2008 Service Pack Announcements

Microsoft announced the upcoming targeted release dates for SQL Server 2005 and 2008 Service Packs.

SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 4 targeted release date is Q42010.
SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 2 targeted release date is Q32010.

For most people who has been waiting for SQL 2005 SP4 maybe over before the end of the year.

Suspect_Pages

I think not many database administrators are aware of the msdb.dbo.suspect_pages table in SQL Server 2005/2008. The database engine uses this table to record possible suspect page data. It records the pageid and event_type_value which indicates what type of error or how the page repaired along with some other data. For detecting suspect page in your server I recommend setting up a job which looks at that table with certain event_type_value. (the values can be 1,2,3,4,5,7) If database engine records a row with value less than equal to 3 then it means you're facing possible CRC failure, checksum error, or torn page. Then you can send an email alert to your self to start looking for solution. You can use DBCC commands to repair the page or if it does nt work you may have to restore the page from a backup. Suspect_pages table is like having some early warning system so I think dba's should use this table to alert themselves. You can read more about it here on MSDN Site.

HTH