[dba-SQLServer] Federated Databases

Has anyone tried using Microsoft's SQL add in: federated databases?  How
stable is it?  Any quirks?  I have a customer asking about using it and I
would like opinions on Microsoft.  If there is a superior 3rd party product
please let me know about it any why it is superior too.

Here is Microsoft's site on federated databases:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/architec/8_
ar_cs_4fw3.asp

Debbie
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