case study

  • In my university the students used until now oracle. Now they want to switch to SQL Server.

    Oracle was instaled on every computer.

    But now i was thinking if there is a possibility to install on every computer just the client tools so they will connect and work on the server.

    But i don't know how to do it.

    Should i create an acount on the server for every student ?

    There is allready a list of accounts in a Active Directory and between the labs and the Sql Server and AD there is a linux router.

    Should i use the accounts from the AD in SQL Server ?

    Another problem: everybody should have have a example database on which they will work(eg Northwind) - but this way i will have a copy of the northwind database for every student... - so i will have on the server 200+ copies of the Northwind database.

    The administrator opened the port 1443 on the linux ruter. It is enough for the students to connect with client tools to the server (and eventually use AD) ?

    Or in the end is more simple and efficient to install msde and client tools on every computer in the lab ?

    Please help!

    Thank you

  • It will be nice to know if the students in question need to be able to learn and be taught about sql server...

    You could have a special lab in which all the computers have sql server MSDE and client tools installed.

    You may have to give the students read only access to the databases they might need to run queries against..Which makes it necessary that you either create a generic account that everybody can use (If all they are going to do is read)or create one for everybody.Your call

    Mike

    Mike

  • leonx,

    From an administrative and grading perspective you would be better off using one central sql server machine with all of the student databases loaded on it.

    I would create one copy of the testing database for each student, using the student name or other identifier as all or part of the database name. Then add that student's AD account as a sql login and give it access to the appropriate database.

    -Dan B

  • Hi, you have received good advice already, but just let me give you a little info about our solution so far:

    1. A central SQL Server is on the network, accessible to all students (we have serveral servers actually, and several instances running on some of the servers)

    2. The client tools are installed on all labs, all PCs

    3. Students log on to SQL Server normally by Windows Authentication (may be given to all students or groups, dependent on how they are organized in the AD) - general access rights are 'database creator', 'bulk insert administrator'. Students taking particular courses may be given separate logins (individual or as group). We have also established a few logins with similar rights that students may use for testing, some with more limited privileges.

    4. The demo databases, Northwind and Pubs (and other we provide ourselves) are usually set to read-only. If the students need write privileges, they copy the database or (selected structure / data) to their own test bases.

    5. One of the limitations is that we do not give full privileges (as mentioned above), so they cannot test all aspects, like assigning logins/users to their own databases etc. We 'solve' this through our membership in Microsoft Academic Allicance (paid), giving all our students in ICT-programmes (courses) free access to relevant MS software, including SQL Server, on their one computers. Some then connect their laptops to the student network (with access rights) and run and access their local SQL Server on the student network when connected.

    6. The students in general save their scripts etc. in their own student folders, in addition to backup and copy folders on the server computers (giving students access to these folders).

    Good luck.

    Per E

    Aalesund University College

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