What do I need running to use SQL Server

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What do I need running to use SQL Server

Jim Stiene 60

I noticed a file running using 200 megs on startup after installing SQL Server for developers and disabling it. But now I can't connect to the server. What do I need to trigger to use it, SQLAgent.exe? If I can find the right file I can create a desktop shortcut.

Jim Stiene 60 Reputation points

2024-01-19T18:06:52.9333333+00:00

I uninstalled and reinstalled. It is SQL Server Windows NT 64 bit running at startup. 284 megs. I guess I will have to live with it. I thought Windows replaced NT in 2000 but I guess it's still around.

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Jim Stiene 60 Reputation points

2024-01-19T18:06:52.9333333+00:00

I uninstalled and reinstalled. It is SQL Server Windows NT 64 bit running at startup. 284 megs. I guess I will have to live with it. I thought Windows replaced NT in 2000 but I guess it's still around.

Answer 1

Michael Taylor 60,161

SQL Server is a service so it requires the SQL service which runs as SQL Server * where the asterisk is the instance name. That is the database and is the minimum you need to connect using SSMS. If you are using SSIS then that is a separate service. Same thing for SSRS. If you have enabled full text searching in SQL and need that then there is yet another service for that.

In general you should have the SQL service running as Automatic so it always runs. The remaining services can be set to Manual so they start on demand. The SQL Server VSS Writer needs to be running as well for backup and recovery.

Note that you cannot create a shortcut to the SQL Service because it is a service. It is run from the Services MMC snapin and requires admin privileges to manage. You should leave it running all the time unless you only rarely need to use it in which case you can start it (from an elevated command prompt or MMC) when you need it. You don't need anything else running.

Jim Stiene 60 Reputation points

2024-01-19T16:44:21.39+00:00

Ah, I see that file, but thought agent was the startup requirement. I'll try it. Thanks.
Jim Stiene 60 Reputation points

2024-01-19T17:07:20.66+00:00

No. Service writer wasn't enough. As for using up 200 megs at all times for something I might use a couple times a week that sounds machine intensive.
Michael Taylor 60,161 Reputation points

2024-01-19T18:38:24.19+00:00

SQL Server will use as much memory as it needs to handle DB requests. 200MB is nothing for a modern DB server. Be aware though that it depends on the tool you're using to see the memory usage as to what it actually is. The working set is the actual memory used now whereas some tools show the memory reserved (but not necessarily used). The more you use the DB the more memory it'll use.

You can configure SQL to not use all available memory by using the properties in SSMS for the server. However this is generally not recommended. If you really only use the DB only on occasion then just set the service to Manual and start it when you need it. That is the most practical approach.

Answer 2

Ken Kam Hung, Lin 91

It is SQL engine. If you stop it, the SQL server is not running at all and so you could not connect to it. You could go to "Control Panel --> Services" to enable it back.

Jim Stiene 60 Reputation points

2024-01-23T16:30:09.3+00:00

What if I disabled it at startup and double clicked on the exe?
Michael Taylor 60,161 Reputation points

2024-01-23T16:55:19.5933333+00:00

You cannot "double click" a service (any service) and run it. Services must be run under the SCM (via the Services app). Some services may allow you to specify a command line argument to run them as a console app instead but SQL isn't one of them.

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What do I need running to use SQL Server

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