SQL like Server

[John Cassell]

Hi There,

I am looking to upzise my Access.mdb database to an SQL one and am a bit confused. Would someone be able to help me out with this please...

How do I know if the server I am going to place the data on already has an SQL server?

If it doesn't will the Free SQL Enterprise 2005 suffice?

any pointers would be great.

Thanks

John

 

[cjard]

Erm.. Im not sure in what context you ask the first question, but the simple answer is:

Servers are managed by a human (The Administrator) and if that human does not know or cannot tell you whether a server is running SQL Server, then they shouldnt be administering it.

If you want to know, then open task manager and look in the tasks list for sqlservr.exe - if its not there, its not running

To know if its installed, click start>>run>>type services.msc and press return. Look for SQL Server in the services window


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If it doesnt, then SQL Server Express is the free version of sql server. Oracle also do a free version of their own rdbms, called 10g Express.

In my ever so humble opinion, Oracle is better than SQL Server, but slightly harder to work with than SQLS, especially since MS wrote both Visual Studio, and SQLS.. They make interaction a bit better, though ORacle is catching up somewhat with Oracle Developer Tools for .NET

 

[martin_vista]

I just finished investigating the possibilities for a migration from MS Access to SQL Server myself.

If you have Small Business Server 2003, big chance SQL server is integrated. Otherwise use SQL-server Express if you want a " cheap" solution. SQL-Server Express doesn't come with integrated back-up functionality, transactionlog or schedulable jobs. It's limited in size and supports only one processor in your server.
You will also not be possible to "manage" SQl server 2005 Express through ODBC from Ms Access 2003: data is presented read-only there.

I myself choose the workgourp edition. Apart from the database license you have to buy user licenses for every user that accesses the database (eben if you have only one application), or you can choose a processor license: unlimited users, but only one processor. Best choice depends on your budget, number of users and need for -cheepest - scalability.