| Executive Summary:
SQL Server 2008 comes in many editions, from Enterprise to Web to the lowly Compact Edition. Learn what each edition supports, what limitations, if any, exist on database size, and the cost of the edition. |
As Microsoft develops each new release of
SQL Server, it seems compelled to add new
editions—and SQL Server 2008 offers several. Here’s
a quick look at SQL Server 2008 editions.
Enterprise Edition
Top dog of the SQL Server product line, Enterprise
Edition possesses the entire SQL Server 2008 feature
set. It supports the OS maximum of 64 CPUs, 2TB
of RAM, and database size limited only by available
storage. Notable features exclusive to Enterprise Edition
include support for data compression, transparent
database encryption, and unlimited virtual machine
licensing. It’s priced at $24,999 per processor or
$13,499 per server including 10 CALs.
Developer Edition
Although it’s got the same features as Enterprise Edition,
Developer Edition is licensed only for developmental use.
It isn’t used as a production database server.
Web Edition
New to the SQL Server lineup, Web Edition is designed
to be run by web-hosting providers. It supports up to
4 CPUs, 2TB of RAM, and unlimited database size.
BI-wise, it supports SQL Server Reporting Services
(SSRS). It’s priced at $15 per processor per month.
Standard Edition
Standard Edition provides core database and business
intelligence (BI) feature sets. It supports up to 4 CPUs and 2TB of RAM, with unlimited database size. Support
for BI subsystems includes SQL Server Analysis
Services, SQL Server Integration Services, and SSRS.
It’s priced at $5,999 per processor or $2,799 per server
with 10 CALs.
Workgroup Edition
Workgroup Edition is for departments and branch
offices. It supports a maximum of 2 CPUs, 4GB of
RAM, and unlimited database size. Like Web Edition,
its only BI support is for SSRS. It does include the
SQL Agent. Workgroup Edition is priced at $3,899 or
$739 per server including five CALs.
Express Edition and Express
Edition with Advanced Services
Designed for small workgroups, Express Edition is
often used as the built-in database for Microsoft Share-
Point and System Center products. A free download,
it supports a maximum of 1 CPU, 1GB of RAM,
and database sized to 4GB. Express Edition with
Advanced Services adds SQL Server Management
Studio Express and support for SSRS.
SQL Server Compact Edition 3.5
Built on a different code base than the other editions,
SQL Server Compact Edition comes in Microsoft
Visual Studio 2008. It’s a small-footprint, in-process
database with limited relational database capabilities.
YOUR SAVVY ASSISTANT
The Missing Link to IT Resources
Christan
Humphries
(christan.humphries@penton.com) is a
Windows IT Pro associate and regular
contributor to Windows IT Pro, SQL
Server Magazine, and associated Web
sites, specializing in the Windows IT Pro
network of tools and resources.
These days, change seems to be everywhere but
in my pocket. In this year’s US presidential
campaign, I heard a lot about change. And now, I
can’t escape the ever-increasing talk about upgrading
to SQL Server 2008. So I’ve drawn a line in the sand:
Just because something’s new, you don’t have to
leap to adopt it. You need to carefully compare SQL
Server 2008 to the version that you’re running now,
whether it’s SQL Server 2005 or SQL Server 2000.
Even if you decide not to upgrade, Sqlmag.com still
has the information you need to keep you going with
whatever SQL Server version you have. And unlike
some political slogans, these are solutions you can
believe in. I promise.
SQL Server 2005:
“SQL Server 2005 Resources,”
InstantDoc ID 97839
“Leverage Reporting Services 2005 Independent
of Your Database,” InstantDoc ID 48629
“SQL Server Consolidation,” InstantDoc ID 95461
“SQLQueryStress,” InstantDoc ID 97906
“Best Practices Analyzer,” InstantDoc ID 95383
SQL Server 2000:
“Bare-Metal Tuning,” InstantDoc ID 46492
“Moving Cubes from Analysis Services 2000
to 2005,” InstantDoc ID 95161
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