Editions and Components of SQL Server 2008
Installation requirements vary based on your application needs. The different editions of SQL Server accommodate the unique performance, runtime, and price requirements of organizations and individuals. The SQL Server components that you install also depend on your specific requirements. The following sections help you understand how to make the best choice among the editions and components available in SQL Server 2008.
Server Editions of SQL Server 2008
The following table describes the server editions of SQL Server 2008:
Term |
Definition |
|---|---|
Enterprise (x86, x64,and IA64)1 |
SQL Server Enterprise is a comprehensive data platform that provides enterprise-class scalability, performance, high availability, and advanced business intelligence capabilities for running secure, business-critical applications. For more information, see Features Supported by the Editions of SQL Server 2008. |
Standard (x86 and x64) |
SQL Server Standard is a complete data platform that provides ease of use and manageability. This includes built-in business intelligence capabilities to run departmental applications. For more information, see Features Supported by the Editions of SQL Server 2008. SQL Server Standard for Small Business includes all of the technical components and capabilities of SQL Server Standard and is licensed to operate in a small business environment of 75 or fewer computers. |
1Enterprise is available in SQL Server 2008 Enterprise Evaluation for a 180-day trial period. For more information, see the SQL Server Web site.
Specialized Editions of SQL Server 2008
Specialized editions of SQL Server 2008 are engineered for specific customer scenarios. The following table describes these editions of SQL Server 2008:
Term |
Definition |
|---|---|
SQL Server 2008 Developer (x86, x64, and IA64) |
SQL Server 2008 Developer lets developers build any kind of application on top of SQL Server. It includes all the functionality of SQL Server 2008 Enterprise, but is licensed for use as a development and test system, not as a production server. SQL Server 2008 Developer is an ideal choice for people who build and test applications. You can upgrade SQL Server 2008 Developer for production use. |
Workgroup (x86 and x64) |
SQL Server Workgroup is ideal for running branch location databases providing a reliable data management and reporting platform that includes secure, remote synchronization and management capabilities. |
Web (x86, x64) |
SQL Server 2008 Web is a low total-cost-of-ownership option for Web hosts and Web sites that provide scalability and manageability capabilities for small to large scale Web properties. |
SQL Server Express (x86 and x64) SQL Server Express with Tools (x86 and x64) SQL Server Express with Advanced Services (x86 and x64) |
The SQL Server Express database platform is based on SQL Server 2008. It is also a replacement for Microsoft Desktop Engine (MSDE). Integrated with Visual Studio, SQL Server Express makes it easy to develop data-driven applications that are rich in capability, secure in storage, and fast to deploy. SQL Server Express is free and can be redistributed by ISV's (subject to agreement). SQL Server Express is ideal for learning and building desktop and small server applications. This edition is the best choice for independent software vendors, non-professional developers, and hobbyists building client applications. If you need more advanced database features, SQL Server Express can be seamlessly upgraded to more sophisticated versions of SQL Server. |
Compact 3.5 SP1 (x86) Compact 3.1 (x86) |
SQL Server Compact 3.5 is a free, embedded database ideal for building stand-alone and occasionally connected applications for mobile devices, desktops, and Web clients on all Windows platforms. |
For more information about the specialized editions of SQL Server 2008, see the SQL Server Web site.
Using SQL Server with an Internet Server
On an Internet server, such as a server that is running Internet Information Services (IIS), you will typically install the SQL Server client tools. Client tools include the client connectivity components used by an application connecting to an instance of SQL Server.
Note
Although you can install an instance of SQL Server on a computer that is running IIS, this is typically done only for small Web sites that have a single server computer. Most Web sites have their middle-tier IIS systems on one server or cluster of servers, and their databases on a separate server or federation of servers. For more information about software requirements for SSRS, see Hardware and Software Requirements for Installing SQL Server 2008. For more information about federations, see the Federated Database Servers topic in SQL Server Books Online.
Using SQL Server with Client/Server Applications
You can install just the SQL Server client components on a computer that is running client/server applications that connect directly to an instance of SQL Server. A client components installation is also a good option if you administer an instance of SQL Server on a database server, or if you plan to develop SQL Server applications.
The client components option installs the following SQL Server features: Command prompt tools, Reporting Services tools, connectivity components, programming models, management tools, development tools, and SQL Server** **Books Online. For more information, see How to: Install SQL Server 2008 (Setup).
Deciding Among SQL Server Components
Use the Feature Selection page of the SQL Server Installation Wizard to select the components to include in an installation of SQL Server. By default, none of the features in the tree are selected.
Use the information in the following tables to determine the set of features that best fits your needs:
Server components |
Description |
|---|---|
SQL Server Database Engine |
SQL Server Database Engine includes the Database Engine, the core service for storing, processing, and securing data, Replication, full-text search, and tools for managing relational and XML data. |
Analysis Services |
Analysis Services includes the tools for creating and managing online analytical processing (OLAP) and data mining applications. |
Reporting Services |
Reporting Services includes server and client components for creating, managing, and deploying tabular, matrix, graphical, and free-form reports. Reporting Services is also an extensible platform that you can use to develop report applications. |
Integration Services |
Integration Services is a set of graphical tools and programmable objects for moving, copying, and transforming data. |
Management tools |
Description |
|---|---|
SQL Server Management Studio |
SQL Server Management Studio is an integrated environment to access, configure, manage, administer, and develop components of SQL Server. Management Studio lets developers and administrators of all skill levels use SQL Server. Internet Explorer 6 SP1 or a later version is required for Management Studio installation. |
SQL Server Configuration Manager |
SQL Server Configuration Manager provides basic configuration management for SQL Server services, server protocols, client protocols, and client aliases. |
SQL Server Profiler |
SQL Server Profiler provides a graphical user interface to monitor an instance of the Database Engine or Analysis Services. |
Database Engine Tuning Advisor |
Database Engine Tuning Advisor helps create optimal sets of indexes, indexed views, and partitions. |
Business Intelligence Development Studio |
The Business Intelligence Development Studio is an IDE for Analysis Services, Reporting Services, and Integration Services solutions. Internet Explorer 6 SP1 or a later version is required for BI Development Studio installation. |
Connectivity Components |
Installs components for communication between clients and servers, and network libraries for DB-Library, ODBC, and OLE DB. |
Documentation |
Description |
|---|---|
SQL Server Books Online |
Core documentation for SQL Server. |
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