Can there be two sql servers on a single computer?

  • How is a sql server defined?

    Can there be two sql servers on a single computer?

  • Yes. SQL supports up to 50 instances on a single computer. In general you'd be insane to install anywhere close to that number, but it is allowed

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • An instance and a sql server are not the same though.

  • As Gail Show (GilaMonster ) has answered.

    For example I have two (2) instances of SQL Server on a single machine

    Instance Name . . . . . . Comment

    DADSNEW\DEVELOPER8K - This is my SQL Server 2008

    dadsnew - This is my SQL Server 2005

    I could have, if I desired multiple instances of SQL Server 2008 and / or

    multiple instances of SQL Server 2005, but I chose not to.

    If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.

    Ron

    Please help us, help you -before posting a question please read[/url]
    Before posting a performance problem please read[/url]

  • invaliddba (3/28/2011)


    An instance and a sql server are not the same though.

    Really? How so? I have 2000, 2005 and 2008 on one machine with multiple instance of 2005 some with different settings running.

  • cable protectors

  • invaliddba (3/28/2011)


    An instance and a sql server are not the same though.

    They aren't? Please list what you think the differences are.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • invaliddba (3/28/2011)


    An instance and a sql server are not the same though.

    Microsoft refer to each instance as an instance of SQL Server 😉

    They are one of the same

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    "Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉

  • IF you are planning on installing multiple instances of SQL Server on a server you need to make sure you have enough memory to serve all of those instances. Once you do install multiple instances the first thing you need to do is restrict the amount of memory each instance can consume. If you don't each instance of SQL Server 'can' start consuming all of the memory and then each instance will be fighting over memory which will cause sluggishness in both instances.

  • I asked similar question some time ago about an instance and server . I got an answer saying they are different. An instance can be understood as a blue print object of the existing server . But an instance is not server itself as per my understanding .

    I am still trying to understand differences between sql server and the instance. How ever I agree with the explanation given in the link here by ssc-addicted.

    http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1080684-391-1.aspx

    So it seems possible to have two sql server default instances on the same computer with different versions of 2008,2005.

    1. Is it possible to have two default instances of 2008 or 2005 on the same computer?

  • A SQL Server = an instance. It's fully called an instance of SQL Server.

    There can only be one default instance, there can then be up to 49 named instances on a single computer. The instances can be of any version (2000 onwards)

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • When you install SQL Server (be it 2000,2005,2008) it is an instance... usually the default instance unless you specify an instance name. When you install SQL Server for the second time it is a Named instance.

    An INSTANCE of SQL Server is one installation of SQL Server.

Viewing 12 posts - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply