Edition Question

  • I have been using SQL Server 2008 R2 Standard via my current hosting provider. We are moving to a new host - and they offer licenses for both STANDARD and WEB (SQL Server 2014.)

    I'm having a hard time understanding the "real world" difference between the 2 editions. The monthly cost is significant between the two - is there any reason I would need STANDARD over WEB? My DB server doesn't have more RAM than WEB supports and the only differences I see beyond that are REPLICATION related (or possibly related to the use of Profiler.)

    Thanks to anyone that can help.

  • Details of each edition can be seen here:

    https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc645993.aspx

    Cheers!

  • Thanks for the reply. Yes - I've read the link - but I get lost in some of the specifics. I was hoping someone here would have some real life experience to let me know if I'm missing something.

    We don't need replication as part of the day to day operations - so I'm not sure what else I'm missing out on...

  • The issues are that a lot of the differences may or may not matter depending on how you use the platform. For example, backup compression. Will you run backups (or your provider)? How large are the databases v the cost of storage v the cost of Standard?

    Really, we can't say Standard or Web or Enterprise fits your workload. You really need to look at the items one at a time (that are different) and make a judgment. If you're not sure about a specific item, ask us and we'll give you some ideas, but there isn't a generic way to say one edition is better.

  • Thank you - makes perfect sense.

    I suppose the only items I don't understand are:

    Sql Profiler - what is the level of support in WEB edition - it indicates that it isn't part of it BUT there is a caveat I don't understand.

    Buffer Pool Extension - not in WEB - what is it?

    Development Tools - it looks like SSIS is out in WEB - but I'm assuming SQL Server Management studio for editing queries, adding tables/views/procedures is usable...?

    And, finally, if you install SQL Server 2014 web and later decide to move to STANDARD (by purchasing a license) - is that a rough road or a feasible path?

  • The main differences between Web and standard are:

    Web has no BI / Analysis services

    No support for clustering, replication, mirroring

    Less options for Reporting services

    No service broker

    Backup compression

    So unless you need these, you'll probably be fine

    Why don't you spin up a test server and it test it out?

  • SQL Server profiler - I read that caveat as, you can profile the server from another machine that has either standard or enterprise. Not brilliant if you don't have any other servers with higher editions

    Buffer pool extension means you can extend the memory using SSD (non volatile disk).

    SSIS - I guess that means you can't run SSIS packages...that's a biggy for a lot of people I would think.

    Whether you can upgrade at a later date is probably more a question for your hosting provider

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