Applications only support SQL 32 bit

  • Hi all -

    I just wanted to see what people's opinions were on this subject. Here's the info:

    My current goal is to move all of my databases to SQL 64 bit, whether it be 2005 or 2008. But, there are about 4 vendor applications that don't support SQL 64 bit edition. The databases are relatively small. I see no problems with the applications working on 64 bit, but I don't want to void the vendor support.

    My initial thought was to create a new 32 bit instance on a 64 bit OS server - it just won't utilize the 64 bit OS. I could also have a separate 32 bit enivronment, 32 bit OS and 32 bit SQL, but in the name of server consolidation, I don't know if this would be the best way to go.

    Anyone have any other ideas? Thoughts?

    Thanks in advance!

  • DBAgal (8/23/2010)


    Hi all -

    I just wanted to see what people's opinions were on this subject. Here's the info:

    My current goal is to move all of my databases to SQL 64 bit, whether it be 2005 or 2008. But, there are about 4 vendor applications that don't support SQL 64 bit edition. The databases are relatively small. I see no problems with the applications working on 64 bit, but I don't want to void the vendor support.

    My initial thought was to create a new 32 bit instance on a 64 bit OS server - it just won't utilize the 64 bit OS. I could also have a separate 32 bit enivronment, 32 bit OS and 32 bit SQL, but in the name of server consolidation, I don't know if this would be the best way to go.

    Anyone have any other ideas? Thoughts?

    Thanks in advance!

    In most of the cases where I have run into this - the reasoning given by the vendors is that their application won't run on x64 hardware. They do not understand that SQL Server does not have to run on the same system, nor do they understand that an ODBC/OLEDB connection to a server does not care what the bits are on the other end.

    Basically, they have only ever tested their application with the database engine co-located on the same server. Therefore, their application will not work on x64 hardware - and that includes the database engine.

    I have had mixed results trying to convine the vendors that we can move their database. In a couple of cases, I have had the time and resources to build a new instance of SQL Server and connect their application to it - and show them it works.

    If you can work with the vendors, and have the time to test the system - I would recommend working with them to build an x64 system and showing them it works.

    If you don't have the time, or the vendor is too stubborn to budge, or the vendor actually uses 32-bit drivers (e.g. SSIS packages, linked servers, etc...) that are not available on x64 - then yes, putting x86 on your x64 box should work.

    Just be aware that the application code may not work on an x64 box - and you may need a separate machine just for the application.

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