What components do I need in SQL Server?

I was asked the following questions by many people personally and I see this question appear over forums repeatedly.

When I install an additional instance of SQL Server on the same machine, what options do I need to select? What components need to be installed to use basic SQL Server while learning (sometimes at the job too).

Well it always depends on what one needs on his/her system that decides what needs to be installed. I would make a general assumptions and give the suggestions.

A user can choose to install multiple instances of SQL Server on a single machine, but every instance need not have all the components installed. For example when the first instance was installed only Database Engine was chosen since there was no necessity for the Analysis and Reporting Servers at that point. When the need for either of these arises, an additional instance can be installed and only that component can be selected to install, choosing Database Engine is not mandatory here.

Similarly when installing Database Engine, Replication and Full Text Indexing are not mandatory, you need to choose them if only you need those.

And then finally there are somethings that are Instance aware and Instance unaware. Let me explain that..

Instance aware components are those that can be installed with each instance on the machine and are independent from the other instance, such as Database Engine, Reporting Server and Analysis Server. An instance of a database engine can run while another instance is stopped, in that way they are independent.

Instance unaware are those which can be installed only once per a machine and cannot be installed additionally along with a new instance, such as Integration Services, SQL Server Browser, Books Online, Management Studio, BIDS and client components etc. When these options are chosen to be installed with a newer instance, you are give with a message that they will not be installed and the Installation process moves forward..

One additional point, it is possible to have multiple versions of SQL Servers running concurrently on the same machine.

— Bru Medishetty

Certification Exam – Second Shot Free offer is back !

One of the popular offers I always liked while pursuing a Microsoft Certification is once again back. The second shot offer gives the candidate an opportunity to have a second shot of the same exam at no additional cost (if the candidate could not successfully pass in the first attempt).

I am planning to take the MCITP : Database Developer 2008 exam and hope to use this offer as it gives me a cushion (If I cannot successfully pass at the first instance).. So I am rushing for a coupon…, remember the coupons are available for a limited time only. The offer is valid up to June 30, 2010. for more information visit promteric web site Here or Microsoft website Here

— Bru Medishetty

Download SQL Server Sample Databases

When working with SQL Server most of the times the example queries that are provided in articles are based on the sample databases available in SQL Server 2005 / 2008.

If you have missed installing the Sample Databases when installing SQL Server, all you need to do is download the sample databases that are available at Microsoft Codeplex Website. There are databases available for SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2008.

Additionally you can look at the one of my articles to Install a sample Database in SQL Server 2005

— Bru Medishetty