Opportunities with SQL Server 2005 Express Edition

Problem

Have you heard of the SQL Server 2005 Express edition, but not sure where it fits into your overall architecture?  Are you concerned it is too constraining and will not meet your business needs?  Are you looking for ways to continue to use SQL Server in niche capacities?  Are you trying to balance distributing your applications without causing a future server consolidation project?  If so, this tip will outline the opportunities with SQL Server 2005 Express edition in addition to considerations when adopting this version of SQL Server 2005.

Solution

SQL Server 2005 Express Edition offers a unique opportunity to meet database management needs, but should be analyzed properly to ensure the overall architecture is the correct solution from both a development and operational perspective.  As you evaluate and adopt this technology be sure to think about:

• Development capabilities
  • Ensure the platform contains all of the functionality as compared to other SQL Server versions
• Operational considerations
  • Keep in mind the operational costs to implement, support and troubleshoot
• Licensing costs
  • Windows, backup products, monitoring products, etc.
• Infrastructure costs
  • Hardware, racks, storage, power, etc.

Capabilities

The SQL Server 2005 Express Edition supports the following capabilities:

• CPU quantity – 1
  • Express can be installed on a multi CPU machine
• Max database size – 4 GB
• Memory – 1 GB
• Query governor – None
• Users – Unlimited number
• Environments – Production, test and development
• Features – Relational Engine, Full Text Search, Reporting Services
• Scheduling – SQL Server Agent is not supported by Express Edition, but a Free Job Scheduling Tool for SQL Server Express and MSDE is available to meet this need
• Management tools – Independent Express Edition tool set and support with Management Studio from the Standard Edition
• Additional information – Check out the Express Edition feature list

Opportunities

Depending on your organization, SQL Server 2005 Express Edition can be leveraged in a variety of ways.  Below outlines some general applications were the Express Edition, can be used, but the sky is the limit and think creatively on how this edition can be used in your organization. 

• Distributed applications
• Utility applications
• Kiosk applications
• Mobile sales applications on a laptop
• Hosted applications requiring data collection
• Meta data support for custom reporting applications

Considerations

Although the Express Edition offers a unique set of features at a very reasonable licensing cost, be sure think about the following considerations for your application:

• Keep it simple, do not feel like you need to implement technology for the sake of the technology, be sure to meet the business need first and then expand
• Do not set yourself up for distributing the application unnecessarily where you are going to have to go through a server consolidation process in the future, because the cost of building the application and then consolidating can be a much larger cost than the SQL Server licensing cost for another edition of SQL Server which is a common driver to move to the Express Edition
• Keep in mind that if you have an existing SQL Server you can continue to add databases and\or instances depending the current capacity
• Be sure to evaluate all costs related to the architecture including Windows licensing, backup applications, implementation, support, troublehsooting, etc.

Express Downloads

Follow the links below to obtain your copy of SQL Server 2005 Express Edition:

• SQL Server 2005 Express Edition
  • http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/sql/download/
• SQL Server 2005 Express + Reporting Services
  • http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=65109
• Books Online
  • http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=65208
• Toolkit
  • http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=65111
• Samples
  • http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=65209
• Register for SQL Server Express Edition Redistribution Rights
  • http://www.microsoft.com/sql/editions/express/redistregister.mspx

Next Steps

• Take a look at your organization’s database needs to see where the SQL Server 2005 Express Edition fits into the overall architecture.
• Test drive the Express Edition to be sure it meets your needs, depending on the machine, keep in mind other applications could be running, so validate that the performance based on your application and machine is acceptable.
• For additional information about SQL Server 2005 Express edition, check out the product web site.
• Check out these related tips on MSSQLTips.com:
  • Free Job Scheduling Tool for SQL Server Express and MSDE
  • Free SQL Server tools from Microsoft
  • Testing Options with SQL Server 2000 and 2005
  • SQL Server 2005 Management Studio Query Designer
  • SQL Server 2005 Login Properties – Enforce password policy + Enforce password expiration

Jeremy Kadlec

Jeremy Kadlec is a Founder, Editor and Author at MSSQLTips.com with more than 300 contributions and 25+ years of SQL Server experience. Jeremy leads a team of more than 300 authors helping millions of SQL Server professionals around the globe every second of the day for the last 20 years.  He is also the CTO @ Edgewood Solutions and a six-time SQL Server MVP based on his community contributions. Jeremy brings 25+ years of SQL Server DBA and Developer knowledge to the community and holds a bachelor’s degree from SSU and master’s degree from UMBC.