SQL Server Overview

Database Engine

The database engine is the core service of the SQL Server. It runs as a background service and processes On-Line transaction databases OLTP or On-Line Analytic processes (OLAP). It is what actually manages the databases.

Storage Engine

Controls how data is stored on the disk and how applications can access it.
Some elements of the storage Engine Include:
Database File Groups
Tables, Data types and data storage
indexes
partitions
Internal data architecture
Locking and transaction management
Database Snapshots
Data backup and recovery

Security Subsystem

This subsystem allows you secure the server and its contents.

Some elements are:
Authentication Methods
Service Accounts
Enabling and disabling features
Schema
Principles, securables and permissions
Data Encryption
Code signatures
Auditing
Policy Configuration, management and enforcement

Programming Interfaces

These are elements that let you interact with the server programmically.

These Include among others
SQL
stored procedures
triggers
functions
Database snapshots
Full text

Service Broker

Provides a message queuing system.

SQL Server Agent

Used for scheduling tasks and creating alerts.

Replication

Used to distribute copies of data and keep all the copies sychronized to a master data set. Now can make changes all across the network and have them synchronized.

High Availablity

High availablity refers to keeping the server up and running 24/7. To do this SQL Server uses

Failover
Database Mirroring
Log shipping
Replication

Relational Engine

This is part that controls the relations between tables and objects. For a list of new items look a page 8 in the book, or go online to Microsoft's SQL server Page.

Business Intelligence

These are the tools for Data Warehousing, Data Mining and Analysis.

Integration Services

These services all the user to build and automate complex imports and exports.

Reporting Services

Allows you to create Reports on data in SQL Server and post them to the web or sharepoint sites.

Analysis Services

Data cubes, Data Aggregation, etc.