Chapter 1: SQL Server 2008 R2 Editions and Enhancements

This chapter introduces the new SQL Server 2008 R2 features, capabilities, and editions from a DBA's perspective. It also discusses why Windows Server 2008 R2 is recommended as the underlying operating system for deploying SQL Server 2008 R2. Last, SQL Server 2008 R2 hardware and software requirements and installation strategies are also identified.

SQL Server 2008 R2 Editions

SQL Server 2008 R2 is available in nine different editions. The editions were designed to meet the needs of almost any customer and are broken down into the following three categories:

• Premium editions
• Core editions
• Specialized editions

Premium Editions

The premium editions of SQL Server 2008 R2 are meant to meet the highest demands of large-scale datacenters and data warehouse solutions. The two editions are

• Datacenter For the first time in the history of SQL Server, a datacenter edition is offered. SQL Server 2008 R2 Datacenter provides the highest levels of security, reliability, and scalability when compared to any other edition. SQL Server 2008 R2 Datacenter delivers an enterprise-class data platform that provides maximum levels of scalability for organizations looking to run very large database workloads. In addition, this edition offers the best platform for the most demanding virtualization and consolidation efforts. It offers the same features and functionality as the Enterprise edition; however, it differs by supporting up to 256 logical processors, more than 25 managed instances of SQL Server enrolled into a single Utility Control Point, unlimited virtualization, multi-instance dashboard views and drilldowns, policy-based resource utilization evaluation, high-scale complex event processing with Microsoft SQL Server StreamInsight, and the potential to sustain up to the maximum amount of memory the operating system will support.
• Parallel Data Warehouse New to the family of SQL Server editions is SQL Server 2008 R2 Parallel Data Warehouse. It is a highly scalable appliance for enterprise data warehousing. SQL Server 2008 R2 Parallel Data Warehouse uses massively parallel processing (MPP) technology and hub-and-spoke architecture to support the largest data warehouse and BI workloads, from tens or hundreds of terabytes to more than 1 petabyte, in a single solution. SQL Server 2008 R2 Parallel Data Warehouse appliances are pre-built from leading hardware venders and include both the SQL Server software and appropriate licenses.

Core Editions

The traditional Enterprise and Standard editions of SQL Server are considered to be core edition offerings in SQL Server 2008 R2. The following section outlines the features associated with both SQL Server 2008 R2 Enterprise and Standard:

• Enterprise SQL Server 2008 R2 Enterprise delivers a comprehensive, trusted data platform for demanding, mission-critical applications, BI solutions, and reporting. Some of the new features included in this edition include support for up to eight processors, enrollment of up to 25 managed instances of SQL Server into a single Utility Control Point, PowerPivot for SharePoint, data compression support for UCS-2 Unicode, Master Data Services, support for up to four virtual machines, and the potential to sustain up to 2 terabytes of RAM. It still provides high levels of availability, scalability, and security, and includes classic SQL Server 2008 features such as data and backup compression, Resource Governor, Transparent Data Encryption (TDE), advanced data mining algorithms, mirrored backups, and Oracle publishing.
• Standard SQL Server 2008 R2 Standard is a complete data management and BI platform that provides medium-class solutions for smaller organizations. It does not include all the bells and whistles included in Datacenter and Enterprise; however, it continues to offer best-in-class ease of use and manageability. Backup compression, which was an enterprise feature with SQL Server 2008, is now a feature included with the SQL Server 2008 R2 Standard. Compared to Datacenter and Enterprise, Standard supports only up to four processors, up to 64 GB of RAM, one virtual machine, and two failover clustering nodes.

Specialized Editions

SQL Server 2008 R2 continues to deliver specialized editions for organizations that have unique sets of requirements.

• Developer Developer includes all of the features and functionality found in Datacenter; however, it is strictly meant to be used for development, testing, and demonstration purposes only. It is worth noting that it is possible to transition a SQL Server Developer installation that is used for testing or development purposes directly into production by upgrading it to SQL Server 2008 Enterprise without reinstallation.
• Web At a much more affordable price compared to Datacenter, Enterprise, and Standard, SQL Server 2008 R2 Web is focused on service providers hosting Internet-facing Web serving environments. Unlike Workgroup and Express, this edition doesn't have a small database size restriction, and it supports four processors and up to 64 GB of memory. SQL Server 2008 R2 Web does not offer the same premium features found in Datacenter, Enterprise, and Standard; however, it is still the ideal platform for hosting Web sites and Web applications.
• Workgroup Workgroup is the next SQL Server 2008 R2 edition and is one step below the Web edition in price and functionality. It is a cost-effective, secure, and reliable database and reporting platform meant for running smaller workloads than Standard. For example, this edition is ideal for branch office solutions such as branch data storage, branch reporting, and remote synchronization. Similar to Web, it supports a maximum database size of 524 terabytes; however, it supports only two processors and up to 4 GB of RAM. It is worth noting that it is possible to upgrade Workgroup to Standard or Enterprise.
• Express This free edition is the best entry-level alternative for independent software vendors, nonprofessional developers, and hobbyists building client applications. This edition is integrated with Visual Studio and is great for individuals learning about databases and how to build client applications. Express is limited to one processor, 1 GB of memory, and a maximum database size of 10 GB.
• Compact SQL Server 2008 R2 Compact is typically used to develop mobile and small desktop applications. It is free to use and is commonly redistributed with embedded and mobile independent software vendor (ISV) applications.

NOTE Review "Features Supported by the Editions of SQL Server 2008 R2" at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc645993(SQL.105).aspx for a complete comparison of the key capabilities of the different editions of SQL Server 2008 R2.