Do you like Powershell? If the answer is yes, you'll be happy to know that SQL Server 2008 will benefit from Powershell by introducing a provider for the relational engine and policy management.You will be able to use Powershell for executing T-SQL scripts and policy checks.

Trying to use Surface Area Configuration on a SQL Server 2008 CTP I found out a bug. Searching for a resolution I found out more about Powershell on the Connect Site here: MSIT - SAP: Build 1075.06 Pre CTP5;Unable to Configure SQL SAC

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The Surface Area Configuration tool is being removed in SQL2K8. The existing functionality will be replaced by the SQL Server Configuration Manager (for service and remote connection configuration), SQL Server Management Studio (using DMF for feature level configuration) and PowerShell for scripting support. This functionality will show up in future CTPs. In the meantime, the SQL Configuration Manager can be used in current CTPs to configure servers and remote connectivity for the DB engine. Management Studio can be used for configure features of the DB engine (via sp_configure) and Analaysis Services (via the GUI for server properties). Reporting Services can be configured using the RS configuration file.
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More about Powershell and SQL Server 2008 here: Powershell and SQL Server's 2008 SMO - the reprise

New to Windows Powershell? Then you can use this offer: Free Windows Server 2008 e-book and Microsoft Press newsletter

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This e-book includes excerpts from two recent publications from Microsoft Press:

Introducing Windows Server 2008 by Mitch Tulloch with the Microsoft Windows Server Team (ISBN: 9780735624214)
Usage scenarios, Windows Server virtualization, Managing Windows Server 2008, Managing server roles, Windows Server core, Additional resources

Microsoft Windows PowerShell Step by Step by Ed Wilson (ISBN: 9780735623958)
Overview of Windows PowerShell, Using Windows PowerShell cmdlets, Leveraging PowerShell providers.

Additional chapters from Introducing Windows Server 2008 will be added to the site periodically, so be sure to come back and read more from expert Mitch Tulloch and the Microsoft Windows Server Team.
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