SQL Server Instances

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SQL Server Instances

Wintop

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June 15, 2009 at 10:43 pm

#201405

Can someone please explain what is multiple sql server instances? How can that be used in a single database?

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ps. One Orange Chip Points: 29422 More actions · Answer 1

y_winny (6/15/2009)
Can someone please explain what is multiple sql server instances? How can that be used in a single database?

One database can be attached to only one instance.

To give an bird's eye view, You have one physical server over which you install multiple SQl Servers (each of which is called an instance). You create databases in these different instances.

Normally we create multiple instances of sql server only if we have multiple sql server versions.

Eg. one for sql server 2000, another for sql server 2005..

This link will give u more description on multiple instances.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa174516(SQL.80).aspx

Pradeep Singh

Wintop Old Hand Points: 304 More actions · Answer 2

I thought when you install a newer version of sql server and it overrides the older version on the PC. Can that be achieved when you already have sql 2000 and want to install sql 2005 without overriding the sql 2000 on the same pc?

Can you please give more example on multiple SQL Server instances?

ps. One Orange Chip Points: 29422 More actions · Answer 3

y_winny (6/15/2009)
I thought when you install a newer version of sql server and it overrides the older version on the PC. Can that be achieved when you already have sql 2000 and want to install sql 2005 without overriding the sql 2000 on the same pc?
Can you please give more example on multiple SQL Server instances?

yes that is possible. If you have a default instance of sql 2000 and you want to install sql 2005 as a seperate instance, it has to be a named instance (you provide a name to this instance). Both versions of sql can happily reside on one server with their own databases. you can check that out in services(click start->run->services.msc). you'll see seperate services for each instance for sql servers.

I hope u went through the msdn url i provided in earlier post.

here are some others.

http://www.mssqltips.com/tip.asp?tip=1048

http://technet.microsoft.com/hi-in/magazine/2006.03.sqlqa(en-us).aspx"> http://technet.microsoft.com/hi-in/magazine/2006.03.sqlqa(en-us).aspx -- read from 2nd question there..

Pradeep Singh

OTF SSCertifiable Points: 6104 More actions · Answer 4

Maybe another way to understand the concept of 'the instance', if you are not familiar with it, is to see an Instance of Sql Server as one installation. In other words, each time you install sql server you create an instance of it. Of course, this means that you can install multiple instances of Sql Server on one machine.

Chim Kalunta

Wintop Old Hand Points: 304 More actions · Answer 5

I have read through the material online and thanks for the url.

Tried to install 2 versions (2000 & 2005) of sql server on same machine and i can see that there are 2 sqlserver agents services. Thanks.

ps. One Orange Chip Points: 29422 More actions · Answer 6

ps.

One Orange Chip

Points: 29422

June 16, 2009 at 9:34 pm

#1010615

Glad i could help you 🙂

Pradeep Singh

P Jones SSChampion Points: 12361 More actions · Answer 7

Instances can also be useful if you have one server but need to pretend it's more! We have our development instance and our test instance co-existing happily on one server and they behave as two different servers.

Wintop Old Hand Points: 304 More actions · Answer 8

Is that the same installing 2 difference version of sql servers on same machine?

ps. One Orange Chip Points: 29422 More actions · Answer 9

Wintop (6/17/2009)
Is that the same installing 2 difference version of sql servers on same machine?

Yes. You can install same version of SQL Server multiple times as well. There is limitation for it. I guess in 2005 Std Edition/WorkGroup edition max no. of instances is 16 and in enterprize edition its 50. Just visit BOL to cross verify the max no. of instances.

Pradeep Singh

MMartin1 One Orange Chip Points: 27799 More actions · Answer 10

One benefit of instances is that when you create a linked server connection to a database in another instance (of the same machine) then data does not have to travel through a network and the results are typically fast.

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ps. One Orange Chip Points: 29422 More actions · Answer 11

mmartin (7/15/2009)
One benefit of instances is that when you create a linked server connection to a database in another instance (of the same machine) then data does not have to travel through a network and the results are typically fast.

I dont think we need to create linked servers for instances running on same server. or do we? we can access the data using four part notation. [instance Name].database.owner.object

Pradeep Singh

MMartin1 One Orange Chip Points: 27799 More actions · Answer 12

I tried querying using your suggestion on a couple of instances on one of our machines. I was not successful. Maybe I am missing something.

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MMartin1 One Orange Chip Points: 27799 More actions · Answer 13

My understanding of an instance is that it acts as if it is another server without actually needing to buy another server. Thus I assume all the permissions/checkpoints you normally have in place to access data from another box still apply to instances the reside on the same disk as your reference database.

regards, MMartin

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