SQL Server Express Scott Baldwin Associate Consultant - Readify Prerequisites for presentation: I assume you know: 1).Net Development 2) Database Experience Level: Intermediate Sydney 2005 November 30

SQL Server Express – Session Overview What is SQL Server Express (SSE) Feature Overview –Comparison with MSDE 2000 Visual Studio Integration –XCopy & RANU –Demo Who Will Use It? –Usage Scenarios Resources

What is SQL Express? Based on SQL Server 2005 Database Engine –Complete SQL Server Programming Model Transact-SQL Stored Procedures Views Triggers Cursors New for SQL Sever 2005 CLR Integration XML Enhanced Security

What is SQL Express? Cont… Replacement for MSDE 2000 –Freely Downloadable & Redistributable –Integrated setup and deployment –Tight Visual Studio Integration –Native and Managed Data Access –Automated patching and servicing –Some restrictions placed on database size, performance and feature set.

Feature Comparison SQL ExpressMSDE 2000 Database size4GB2GB Number of CPUs1 CPU2 CPUs Buffer RAM1 GB2 GB Workload ThrottleNoAfter 8 concurrent workloads (DBCC CONCURRENCY VIOLATION) GUI ToolsSQL Server Management Studio Express Edition None Visual Studio Integration Deep IntegrationBasic Integration

Feature Comparison cont… SQL ExpressMSDE 2000 DTSNoRuntime present DeploymentMSI OnlyMSI & merge modules ReplicationSubscription for Transactional & Merge Merge publish & subscribe, No Transactional SQL AgentNo AgentAgent present Supported OS Supports Win 2000 SP4, XP Sp1, and Win 2003 Supports Win98, Win Me, Win 2000, XP, NT4, Win 2003

Other Restrictions –Clustering –Mirroring – Log Shipping –Database Snapshot –Online Operations (Online Index Rebuilds) –New backup-restore features –Plan Guides –SQL Agent –Analysis Services –SSIS (SQL Server Integration Services)

Other Features Other SQL Server Features –Service Broker (to/from another SKU of SQL Server) SQL Express only –User Instances (RANU / XCopy Deployment) Post RTM (Autumn 2006) –SQL Server Management Studio Express Edition –Reporting Services –Full Text Search

SQL Server Express Deployment No Merge Modules –MSDE was hard to service if distributed as a Merge Module (Slammer). –Issues with programs installing MSDE multiple times on same machine MSI installer only, with both interactive/silent modes –Much better maintenance story –Highly customisable

XCopy Deployment –Treat the database as a file –Use AttachDBFileName and |DataDirectory| –Simplifies deployment –Must be an Admin on the instance to attach –Lose some functionality (eg Replication)

User Instances RANU –Run As Normal User –Designed for JET scenarios –Better isolation and security –Works for LUA User

User Instances cont… How it works 2.Parent Instance spawns User Instance 3.ADO.NET redirects connection to UI 1.Connect to Parent Instance w/ UserInstance=TRUE

User Instances Cont… Limitations –Supports only Windows Authentication –Listens only on local named pipes –Replication is not possible Administration –Only members of the Administrators group, and the spawning user can connect –Exposed through sys.dm_os_child_instances

Demonstration Demo of RANU and XCopy

Target Users Hobbyists & non-professional Technology Professional ISVs – Shrink wrapped software market

Usage Scenarios Software vendor creating different SKU’s can implement lowest SKU with SQL Express. Trial products. Shrink wrapped single user software. Smart Client (sometimes connected scenarios)

Resources

Discussion Questions