Planning an Installation
Before you install SQL Server 2005 you should answer several questions:
- What is the purpose of the installation--what tasks are you going to use the SQL server to perform?
- How many users will be accessing the system at the same time? (this helps determine what licensing scheme to use.)
- Given the purpose and users which edition is best for you?
- What are the hardware and software requirements?
In addition, you need to understand what the network requirements are going to be. What kind of OS is the Server going to be on. Windows XP Pro will work for SQL Express and the Developers edition, but the others will require Windows 2000 Server or Windows 2003. Will the new SQL Server be part of a domain? Will it part of a Server farm, etc.
System requirements for the different editions of the servers can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinfo/sysreqs/default.mspx.
Editions
There are several editions of SQL Server 2005:
- SQL Server Express
- The Express editon can be downloaded for free. It supports most of the core features of the main editions of SQL Server, but doesn't have any of the enterprise tools. It can be used freely for whatever purpose but has a few limits. It can accept any number of simultaneous users, but is limited to accessing one cpu. Also it can have any number of databases, but each database is limited to a file size of 4 gigabytes.
- Workgroup Edition
- The workgroup edition is meant for small businesses. It does not have the limits that SQL Express has, but also lacks the Enterprise tools.
- Standard Edition
- Microsoft Says: "Standard Edition is the data management and analysis platform for small and medium-sized organizations. It includes the essential functionality needed for e-commerce, data warehousing, and line-of-business solutions. Standard Edition's integrated business intelligence and high-availability features provide organizations with the essential capabilities needed to support their operations."
- Enterprise Edition
- The Enterprise edtion is the premier package with all the features. It is meant for medium to large sized companies who have wide area networks and significant internet applications to support.
- Developers Addition
- The developers edition has all the features of the Enterprise Edition, but can only be licensed for Development--that is for testing databases and developing applications. (This is the edition we will have.)
- Mobile Edtion
- The Mobile Edition is a compact version of SQL for mobile devices such as PDAs and Phones. It synchronizes with other SQL Editions.
For a comparison of Features see http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinfo/features/compare-features.mspx
Licensing choices and pricing information can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/sql/howtobuy/default.mspx
Performing the Installation
Again, in preparation for the install, you should decide what directory you and what drive you wish to install the server on.
The installation goes through several steps:
SQL Server Component Update
This step installs all the necessary prerequiste components if they are not already installed, namely:
- .Net Framework 2.0
- Microsoft SQL Native Client
- Microsoft SQL Server 2005 CTP SetUp Support Files
The update also runs the "System Configuration Check to make sure the system meets the minimum requirements. If there are problems the step will issue errors and warnings.
Install SQL Server 2005 Components
Next you choose what components you want to install. You can install any or all of the following. You will also have to enter the product key at this point.
- SQL Server Database Services
- Analysis Services
- Reporting Services
- Notification Services
- Integration Services
- Workstation components, Books Online and Development tools
It is a good idea to click the Advanced button. You can make sure that you are in fact installing each feature you wish.
Next you will need to set some properties, such as whether you are using a local system account or a domain account.
The first instance of a server is the Default instance. It can be refered to as localhost. Other instances are Named Instances and must be given a name.
When you are done configuring the install, the program gives you a report on the Installation oprions you have chosen. If it is all satisfactory you can choose "Install" and it will install all the components for you.
Configuring after Installation
After the installation you may need to open the Management Studio and create server groups and register the server. (it may have been automatically registerd.) At a minimum it is a good idea to open the studio and right click on the server and view its properties.
