Can I install SSIS whitout database engine in SQL Server 2019 on Windows?

Oscar Castro 21

I am developing an ETL for a client.

The client asks me if the ETL packages can be executed without using the sql server database engine?

Thank you very much for your attention

Accepted answer

Yitzhak Khabinsky 24,946 Reputation points

2021-03-02T18:02:59.233+00:00

Starting from SQL Server 2012 onwards, SSIS is using Integration Services Catalog and SSISDB database. As such, you do need to install SQL Server engine (though it is strictly not needed) to leverage all the benefits of the current generation of SSIS.
Please see below.

Good link on the subject: Installing SQL Server Integration Services
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Oscar Castro 21 Reputation points

2021-03-03T11:46:07.503+00:00

Hello, thanks for answering.

Believe it or not, I did the installation with that guide that you shared 3 months ago, so I feel that when I installed the environment I did it correctly, I mean, I was on the right track to configure the environment.

Thanks for the link

tibor_karaszi@hotmail.com 4,301 Reputation points

2021-03-03T12:28:55.893+00:00

I very much doubt that the db engine has to be installed in order to have SSIS running. SSISDB was introduced in 2012, but you don't have to use SSISDB.

I.e., I would like to see some documentation to support that the db engine is required before accepting this.

(The licensing topic is of course also important, but that is not what I'm addressing here.)

Oscar Castro 21 Reputation points

2021-03-03T12:52:43.267+00:00

Hi @tibor_karaszi@hotmail.com ,

You mean another alternative to run the package?

So far I understand that they can be run via Sql Agent and DTEXEC

tibor_karaszi@hotmail.com 4,301 Reputation points

2021-03-03T15:26:23.953+00:00

I was suggesting that those who claim that you need to install the database engine in order to use SSIS are incorrect.

Yes, you can execute an SSIS package using various methods, including DTEXEC, DTEXECUI, Agent etc. But SSIS need to be installed on the machine where you execute the package.

Yitzhak Khabinsky 24,946 Reputation points

2021-03-03T15:55:34.593+00:00

@Oscar Castro ,

I added one more clarifying screen shot to my answer.
Without installing SQL Server engine, you are losing all the benefits.

Oscar Castro 21 Reputation points

2021-03-03T18:07:43.677+00:00

Yes, you are right, without SQL Server Engine I lose all the benefits,

Thank you for your answer and for adding more graphic details of the explanation.

Yitzhak Khabinsky 24,946 Reputation points

2021-03-03T18:15:36.467+00:00

@Oscar Castro ,

Glad to hear that we are on the same page.
Please mark the real answer as Answer.

Oscar Castro 21 Reputation points

2021-03-03T18:16:42.477+00:00

You are absolutely right, thanks for the support!

Oscar Castro 21 Reputation points

2021-03-03T19:26:32.157+00:00

I think I already did, if not, let me know, it is the first time that I use this resource for a question and answer, and again thanks!
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3 additional answers

Tom Phillips 17,716 Reputation points

2021-03-02T18:46:03.813+00:00

What exactly do you mean by "can be executed without using the sql server database engine"?

SSIS packages do not directly depend on the SQL Server database engine. You can store the package on the file system (instead of SSISDB) and run it using DTEXEC. You can create SSIS packages which do not interact with SQL Server at all.

However, if you are asking can you execute SSIS packages without LICENSING SQL Server Database Engine, the answer is NO. If you use SSIS, you must have a license on the server. See the SQL Server Licensing guide.
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Oscar Castro 21 Reputation points

2021-03-03T11:37:55.773+00:00

Hello, thanks for answering.

I did the test of executing packages through DTEXEC and managed them through windows tasks, To have more control of the execution of the packages I used sql agent to save logs and detailed information.

But the client later He asks me if it is necessary to implement the solution not with the database engine.

Before responding to the client, I wanted to have the responses of the expert community to respond based on the client's requirements.

Thank you very much in advance for the answer.
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Monalv-MSFT 5,891 Reputation points

2021-03-03T06:37:40.38+00:00

Hi @Oscar Castro ,

The client asks me if the ETL packages can be executed without using the sql server database engine?

We should install SQL Server firstly.

And then Install Integration Services (SSIS).

Best regards,
Mona

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Oscar Castro 21 Reputation points

2021-03-03T11:48:51.457+00:00

Hello, thanks for answering.

Those were the steps I used to configure the environment thank you very much for the answer
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Oscar Castro 21 Reputation points

2021-03-03T18:26:18.4+00:00

Thank you for your answers.

I can execute an SSIS package using various methods, including DTEXEC,SQL Agent etc.

But In my case I have been able to execute the package from the SSISDB catalog, depending on what stage the project is in, I have been able to change the database connections (dev to qa) more easily with this tool, I understand that it is NO It is strictly necessary to install the SQL Server engine, but without this tool I am losing all benefits.
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