New to vb.net - database question

Question

Hi there,
i have been programming Microsoft access databases for a while, ive built some very complicated databases and im curious to know what would be the easiest thing to progress to as far as programming databases into. ive got some experience with VB, i know SQL is really good. but i dont have any knowledge about setting up SQL Server.

im looking to continue building databases but improve performance beyond that of MS Access.

any and all advice would be very welcome.

thanks
Chris Fullwood