Sql Server Core vs Full blown version of SQL Server

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Sql Server Core vs Full blown version of SQL Server

Welsh Corgi

SSC Guru

Points: 116520
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June 12, 2015 at 9:32 am

#309102

I have someone that wants to install Sql Server Core on a new Server.
He states that the major benefits of using Core is reducing the management\operational overhead on the server as well as reducing the attack surface of the server.
He also states that anything that can be done in SSMS can be done using sqlcmd.exe on the server.
How do you feel about that? I would think it would reduce functionality and increase the time that it take to recover etc.
You input would be greatly appreciated.
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Welsh Corgi SSC Guru Points: 116520 More actions · Answer 1

My main concern is not having SSMS on the Server and the learning curve to use command line.

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Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 2

Considering that no one should be using SSMS directly on the server anyway, that's a very minor concern.

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
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Welsh Corgi SSC Guru Points: 116520 More actions · Answer 3

So use the command line for everything?

What do you mean that is a minor one?

I only use it if the Server is not allowing remote connections.

Thanks.

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Welsh Corgi SSC Guru Points: 116520 More actions · Answer 4

I meant to post this in the 2014 forum.

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Lowell SSC Guru Points: 323518 More actions · Answer 5

sqlcmd.exe only? you should know better.

you can use your local SSMS GUI to connect to any version of SQL, including a remote SQL Server Core instance.

SSMS doesn't care if the engine is running on Server Core or not. it's just a connection via SQL native client, exactly the same as any other application would be doing. there is nothing special about SSMS.

the installation for SQL Core avoids installing the client tools, really.

Lowell

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Welsh Corgi SSC Guru Points: 116520 More actions · Answer 6

I misunderstood. :blush:

So you can install SSMS on the Server?

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Lowell SSC Guru Points: 323518 More actions · Answer 7

Welsh Corgi (6/12/2015)
I misunderstood. :blush:
So you can install SSMS on the Server?

No.

the point is there is no need to have SSMS on the server.

you already have it local, installed on your everyday woorkstation, you just connect that way.

Lowell

--help us help you! If you post a question, make sure you include a CREATE TABLE... statement and INSERT INTO... statement into that table to give the volunteers here representative data. with your description of the problem, we can provide a tested, verifiable solution to your question! asking the question the right way gets you a tested answer the fastest way possible!

Lynn Pettis SSC Guru Points: 442467 More actions · Answer 8

Didn't realize that SQL Server had a CORE version. I know that Windows Server can be installed as a core server limiting the surface area of an attack on a server by only installing those services that are needed.

Welsh Corgi SSC Guru Points: 116520 More actions · Answer 9

Lowell (6/12/2015)
Welsh Corgi (6/12/2015)
I misunderstood. :blush:
So you can install SSMS on the Server?
No.
the point is there is no need to have SSMS on the server.
you already have it local, installed on your everyday woorkstation, you just connect that way.

I have had frequent occasions where no one including could not connect via SSMS on their PC that I had to log onto the Server open up SSMS and start executing commands.

I did not intent to cause any heartburn.

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Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 10

Welsh Corgi (6/12/2015)
So you can install SSMS on the Server?

In Server Core installation, no, but since you should never be using SSMS on the server, that's hardly a large problem.

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

Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 11

Welsh Corgi (6/12/2015)
So use the command line for everything?

Hell no. Use SSMS from a client machine. There's pretty much no case I can think of where you'd need to use SSMS directly on the server, except maybe if the network was down and you had to go into the data centre and work at the console, but that should be incredibly rare.

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

Lynn Pettis SSC Guru Points: 442467 More actions · Answer 12

Welsh Corgi (6/12/2015)
Lowell (6/12/2015)
Welsh Corgi (6/12/2015)
I misunderstood. :blush:
So you can install SSMS on the Server?
No.
the point is there is no need to have SSMS on the server.
you already have it local, installed on your everyday woorkstation, you just connect that way.
I have had frequent occasions where no one including could not connect via SSMS on their PC that I had to log onto the Server open up SSMS and start executing commands.
I did not intent to cause any heartburn.

Did that include using DAC (Dedicated Admin Connection)?

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004434 More actions · Answer 13

I can't speak for anyone else and I'm sure that it will rub some folks' sensibilities the wrong way but I do install the full monty on my servers and it has saved my keester a couple of times when the only way in was by RDC (and, no... sorry, I don't remember the exact details. It was quite a while ago).

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

Welsh Corgi SSC Guru Points: 116520 More actions · Answer 14

GilaMonster (6/12/2015)
Welsh Corgi (6/12/2015)
So use the command line for everything?
Hell no. Use SSMS from a client machine. There's pretty much no case I can think of where you'd need to use SSMS directly on the server, except maybe if the network was down and you had to go into the data centre and work at the console, but that should be incredibly rare.

That is what I'm talking about. The rare situations. Use SSMS only in a rare situation.

I sure that you will correct me if I'm wrong but my understanding is that if you have SQL Server core you can't install SSMS on the Server.

Thank you.

For better, quicker answers on T-SQL questions, click on the following...
http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Best+Practices/61537/

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http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/SQLServerCentral/66909/