Run an SQL database from a usb drive/memory stick

Question

Run an SQL database from a usb drive/memory stick

David John Watling 0

OK, I am new to this SQL stuff so this is probably basic housekeeping to you. I have learnt now that you should not have two different SQL databases running on one server, will we have been. I need to move them apart as the two different software applications need updates pending and at different times going forward. A software update will not know which database is which and I understand will update both. So I am looking at either 1: moving one database to another server, 2: installing another small server dedicated to the second database, or 3: run the second database from a suitably sized USB stick plus a bit extra on the first server. Are the options valid workarounds, and which does the community suggest is the better working practice ?

thanks

CosmogHong-MSFT 15,126 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2023-09-28T08:12:39.07+00:00

Hi @David John Watling

Do you have further question on this issue, could we offer more support?

If any answer helps on your issue, you could mark it as answer so other user with similar problem could see this easier. :)

CosmogHong-MSFT 15,126 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2023-09-28T08:12:39.07+00:00

Hi @David John Watling

Do you have further question on this issue, could we offer more support?

If any answer helps on your issue, you could mark it as answer so other user with similar problem could see this easier. :)

Answer 1

Olaf Helper 34,276

I have learnt now that you should not have two different SQL databases running on one server

What's that for a nonsense???

I have several SQL Server server and on each I have 10 and more different databases; that's waht SQL Server is designed for and it can easiely handle. it.

Hosting SQL Server databases on a USB stick works, but it's not supported and you run into high risks of damage etcs; don't do it!

David John Watling 0 Reputation points

2023-09-06T16:26:57.9466667+00:00

Sorry, you have assumed the databases are on an SQL Server - No!

We have one Windows Server hosting the two databases
Erland Sommarskog 88,161 Reputation points

2023-09-06T21:36:52.04+00:00

Windows Server does not host databases on its own, but you would some Database Management System (DBMS) on your server. Since you used the SQL Server tag, we assume that you are using SQL Server. If you are using something else for these databases, you should find a better tag for your question. And if it is a non-Microsoft product, you will need another forum.

As for running two databases on the same server - as Olaf and Javier says, that is certainly possible. Sometimes it may not be desirable for security reasons. Or for performance reasons, if both databases are busy business-critical systems. If it is all a matter of security, you can install multiple instances of SQL Server on the same machine.

Answer 2

Javier Villegas 635 MVP

Hello,

On SQL Server you can host multiple user databases on the same instance. if is a production environment it has to be sized properly in terms of CPU, memory and IOPS

Definitively do not consider any external storage to host you user databases

David John Watling 0 Reputation points

2023-09-06T16:27:29.4566667+00:00

Sorry, you have assumed the databases are on an SQL Server - No!

We have one Windows Server hosting the two databases

Run an SQL database from a usb drive/memory stick

2 answers

Activity