Planning a SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) 2016 installation

  • Hello experts,

    I'm trying to learn the architectural concepts of SSRS. Does SSRS have to be installed on the same host as the SQL Server that houses the ReportServer and ReportServerTempDB databases? Or can those dbs be hosted on, say, a separate cluster with the SSRS "front end" being set up as a web server?

    The reason I ask is that when I request the hosts, a web server only vs a web server/SQL Server combo are understandably treated as different kinds of hosts with different kinds of requirements.

    Thanks for any help!

    -- webrunner

    -------------------
    A SQL query walks into a bar and sees two tables. He walks up to them and asks, "Can I join you?"
    Ref.: http://tkyte.blogspot.com/2009/02/sql-joke.html

  • Yes - you can host the databases on a separate instance and install only the reporting services components on the 'web' server.  This is quite useful if you are using Enterprise Edition and want to scale-out the reporting services components and load balance the 'web' services.

    If you are not looking to scale-out, then installing everything on a single host is easier to manage and maintain.  Patching and upgrading are easier since  you are updating a single host with both the database engine and the web services and don't have to worry about upgrading the database engine where the databases are hosted (note: you don't have to upgrade the database engine every time you upgrade/patch SSRS).

    In general, I build out a single server solution as it is just easier to manage and I don't need scale-out abilities.

    Jeffrey Williams
    “We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.”

    ― Charles R. Swindoll

    How to post questions to get better answers faster
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  • Thank you, Jeffrey, for your speedy and helpful answer!

    -- webrunner

    -------------------
    A SQL query walks into a bar and sees two tables. He walks up to them and asks, "Can I join you?"
    Ref.: http://tkyte.blogspot.com/2009/02/sql-joke.html

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