SQL Server 2005 Frequently asked Questions

Server| Solutions | questions Q. What are the main versions of the SQL Server 2005 product line?
A. The SQL Server 2005 product family is redesigned to better meet the needs of different customers, and it includes the following versions:

• SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition   is a platform for fully integrated data management and business intelligence analysis for enterprise-critical business applications. It is the right choice for companies with complex workloads, advanced analysis requirements, and stringent high availability requirements. Its features include unlimited scalability and partitioning, advanced database mirroring, complete online and parallel operations, database snapshot capabilities, including full OLAP and data mining advanced analytics tools, Report Builder and customized, highly scalable reporting capabilities, and advanced integration Services. 64-bit Enterprise version support to 64 CPU, unlimited memory.
• SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition is a complete data management and business intelligence analysis platform. It is designed for midsize enterprises and large departments that need more functionality than the SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition, such as Business intelligence tools. Its features include: high availability, 64-bit support, database mirroring, enhanced Integration Services, analytics services and Reporting Services, data mining, full data replication, and publishing capabilities. The standard version supports 4 CPUs with unlimited memory (64-bit).
• SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition is the latest SKU in the SQL Server product line, which provides a faster and more accessible database solution. It is an ideal choice for small and medium sized organizations that are not satisfied with the SQL Server Express Edition feature and are looking for a affordable, complete database product. Its features include: Manage Toolset, import/export, limited replication/publishing capabilities, log delivery backups, and more. Workgroup Edition supports 2 CPUs, 3GB of RAM.
• SQL Server 2005 Compact (Express Edition)   is a free and redistributable version of the SQL Server 2005 database engine. It provides the quickest way for novice programmers to learn, develop, and deploy small data-driven applications. Its features include: a simple management tool, a Report wizard and report controls, data replication, and clients. It can be downloaded from the Web free of charge. The compact version supports 1 CPUs, 1 GB of RAM.

The current SQL Server version of the family integrates all the data-related functionality required by an enterprise into a single product package and provides the above version for different customers to choose the best solution for their needs. SQL Server 2005 will be a data management, business intelligence as one of the unified data platform, customers can easily build on this platform any data-related applications, such as data management, replication publishing, Data transformation, Analysis Services, Reporting Services, data mining, etc. There is no longer a need to pay extra for each of these complex needs.

Q. What time will SQL Server 2005 be officially released?
A. SQL Server 2005 is expected to be released 2005 autumn. Before Microsoft releases the final product, SQL Server must meet the following release criteria:

• External TAP customer successfully deployed (A release standard is SQL Server 2005 that must have been successfully deployed by 10 external customers prior to our release)
• Microsoft internal IT department related integration Test completed. currently we have 40 real-time applications on SQL Server 2005 products and are running fairly stable, including our full set of Sap,payroll, document repository systems, and so on. We plan to put another 10 applications before the final product release.

Q. How do I get information for SQL Server 2005?
A. We have published some information on SQL Server 2005 and Web technology Lectures on the Microsoft China website, and with the launch of BETA3, customers will get more information about SQL Server 2005 through the Microsoft Marketing Campaign. For current information, please refer to the following Web site:
Http://www.microsoft.com/china/sql
Http://www.microsoft.com/china/technet/webcasts/class/sql.mspx

Q. When will SQL2005 Beta 3 be released?
A. SQL Server Beta 3 is expected to be released in May 2005, when customers can get more information and information through the Microsoft website and related marketing activities.

Q. Will there be any CTP beta versions other than Beta3 before SQL Server 2005 is officially released?
A. Yes, the SQL Server team wants to release more CTP test versions throughout the development process for customers and partners to try out, however, the number of releases depends on the feedback we receive from our customers.
(CTP, Community Technology Preview, estimated half people do not know what this is)

Q. How do I get a beta version of SQL Server 2005?
A. SQL Server BETA3 will be released this May, when we will provide a beta test registration link on the official Microsoft (China) website and will provide a number of beta Resource CD-ROMs, please refer to the website for detailed instructions.

Q. Is there an upgrade offer for customers who are currently preparing to purchase SQL 2000?
A. The price for each version of SQL Server 2005 is not yet determined. We will develop a pricing strategy based on the capabilities of each version.

Q. What is the price for each version of SQL Server 2005, and is it going to be 20,001 like SQL?
A. The price of each version of SQL Server 2005 is not yet finalized and we will develop a pricing strategy based on the capabilities of each version. The overall principle will reflect the increased and enhanced nature of features since the release of SQL Server 2000, while enabling customers to obtain less than other products.

Q. Because SQL Server 2005 has been postponed, will Microsoft plan to compensate SA customers who want to get SQL Server 2005?
A. When SQL Server 2005 is released, customers who are currently valid for the SA protocol will be able to upgrade free of charge, and customers will not receive SQL Server 2005 if the SA protocol expires.

Q. SQL Server 2005 has no Simplified Chinese version?
A. SQL Server 2005 will provide versions in more than 10 languages, including the Simplified Chinese version.

Q. Will Visual Studio 2005 and SQL Server 2005 be provided as a package?
A. It's too early to discuss, and we'll know more details as visual Studio and SQL Server 2005 are officially released.

SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition (Enterprise Edition)

Q. SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition is defined as the complete (high-end) data platform, and what are the main differences from the SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition?
A. SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition will provide advanced enterprise data management, efficient development, and business intelligence tools to meet the needs of critical business applications. New features in the Enterprise Edition include: Unlimited scalability and partitioning, advanced database mirroring, complete online and parallel operations, database snapshot capabilities, including full OLAP and data mining advanced analytics tools, Report Builder and customized, highly scalable reporting capabilities, and advanced integration Services.

SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition (Standard Edition)

Q. What is the difference between the SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition and the SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition?
A. The SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition has been greatly enhanced (compared to the SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition), providing more functionality and scalability to meet the different needs of customers. A growing number of different types of customers have asked us to add high availability and 64-bit capabilities in the SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition to allow more flexibility before they can buy the SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition. In addition, the Standard Edition supports unlimited memory so customers can add more server memory to the needs of the business.

We've also added a workgroup version to the product line as another option for those customers who don't need a standard version. Our goal is that the new product line will provide an affordable, customizable SKU for all types of companies.

SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition (Workgroup Edition)

Q. What is the SQL Server workgroup version?
A. SQL Server Workgroup Edition is the latest SKU in the SQL Server product line. It provides an easy-to-use, easily managed, and affordable data solution for small and medium-sized organizations. It is more scalable than MSDE or SQL Server Express Edition, which includes the ability to manage Toolset, import/export, limited replication/publishing capabilities, log delivery backups, and more. The Workgroup Edition does not have a database size limit and supports up to 2 CPUs and 2GB of memory.

Q. Why does Microsoft now develop the SQL Server Workgroup Edition?
A. Customers have been demanding a product that can handle the database workloads of small and medium-sized organizations, and the Workgroup Edition in SQL Server 2000 and SQL Server 2005 offers more functionality and scalability than MSDE or Express editions, but it does not include some of the SQL Server Enhancements in 2000 and SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition and Enterprise Edition. Its price also reflects this, and the Workgroup Edition is the best choice for customers who do not currently need all of the features in the Standard Edition.

Q. What are the target customers for the SQL Server Workgroup Edition?
A. The Workgroup Edition is an affordable database solution designed for small and midsize enterprises that require more functionality and scalability than Express editions, but do not require full enhancements in the Standard Edition.

Q. Why did Microsoft decide to release the SQL Server 2000 Workgroup Edition?
A. Mainly refine the distribution of the Microsoft database product line so that customers can get the solution to meet the specified requirements faster. The workgroup version of SQL Server 2000 provides more functionality and scalability than MSDE, but does not include some enhancements in the latest Standard Edition, which is also reflected in its price, which is the best choice for customers who do not currently need all of the features in the Standard Edition.

Q. Does the release of the SQL Server 2000 workgroup release mean that SQL Server 2005 is postponed? Is this a sensitive question?
A. SQL Server 2000 Workgroup Edition does not affect the development cycle of SQL Server 2005 because the Workgroup Edition does not include new features. The advantage of the Workgroup Edition is that it provides more functionality and scalability than MSDE, but it also contains some of the advanced features of the SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition. It is ideal for small companies that cannot afford the standard version but can afford a full database solution.

Q. When is SQL Server 2000 Workgroup Edition available?
A. SQL Server 2000 Workgroup Edition is scheduled to be released in the first half of 2005.

Q. Is the SQL Server workgroup version in response to the competition from Oracle Standard Edition One and IBM DB2 Express?
A. not. Microsoft's SQL Server has been providing the most valuable database products to all customers of different types. The Workgroup Edition is better at meeting the needs of small and midsize customers and provides a more affordable price.

Q. What is the price of the SQL Server 2000 Workgroup Edition? Proposed change to RMB price
A. The price of the SQL Server 2000 Workgroup Edition is $ $739 per processor $3,899 USD or Per server (with 5 client access licenses). The Workgroup Edition price for SQL Server 2005 is not yet determined.

SQL Server Compact Edition (Express Edition)

Q. What is SQL Server 2005 Lite?
A. SQL Server version of the Express edition is used to replace SQL Server MSDE, which is a free, redistributable version of the SQL Server 2005 database engine.

Q. What are the customers that SQL Server 2005 Compact is designed for?
A. This edition is primarily a handy development test for novice programmers, enabling them to quickly develop small data-driven applications that are the easiest to use for customers or partners as SQL Server 2005.

Q. What is the price of SQL Server the Express edition?
A. SQL Server version of the Express edition is available for free from web downloads.

Q. Where can I download the CTP version of SQL Server Express?
A. can be in http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx? familyid=08215d3f-9a1d-483f-8e21-a2ee19936899&displaylang=en download to the CTP version of SQL Server Express