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Hello,
We currently have 10 Stores using Microsoft RMS v2.0 (SQL Express 2005).
I realize that 2008 R2 express raises the limit to 10 Gb but we want to avoid issues in the future.
No other applications will use the SQL Server.
So what licensing is needed - I know we need the SQL 2008 R2 Standard but how do I license it??
For SQL you can either go CORE/CPU based or CAL based.
If I have 10 stores connecting through HQ then I assume I would need 10 CALS for SQL.
Would it be in our best interest to purchase the CORE licenses as this provides unlimited connections?
Thank you in Advance.
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Als,
Well, you sound like a dream client about getting proactive about this kind of stuff.
Here are your options;
Store Level: You can use the Express version with a 10GB database limit for free with unlimited connections to it. It all depends how fast its growing and what you need to retain, i.e. copies of receipts and for how long. Receipts are the biggest usage of space in a SQL database.
Your next step up for SQL would be the Workgroup Edition that has an unlimited database size and a few minor features. But you also need to count the machines within the store and buy a CAL for each. To be honest, that's really all you need at the store level and that's only for unlimited storage. I wouldn't move to this until absolutely needed as there is big $$$ involved.
HQ: This is a different story. We usually install Express and watch it closely. It really simple now to update to different versions of SQL, just click the Upgrade Wizard and enter you license code and it does the rest, pretty much.
As far as connections and CALs, of course you need CALs for every machine that connects to Workgroup and up in that HQ location, but its up for debate as for the store's connecting to it. One normally thinks you would buy enough CALs for each store that connects to it, so for 10 stores, 10 CALs, but another interpretation says that you only need to buy a CAL for each simultaneous connection. Do all 10 stores connect at the same time, if not; only buy 1 or 2 CALs for the times 1 or 2 stores connect at the same time. That's what we recommend to our clients.
Be careful though as some CALs cannot be transferred to work with different versions of SQL, i.e. Workgroup CALs are no good for Standard CALs, but you can work downward, Standard CALs can work with Workgroup CALs
SQL Versions can get complicated too. If all you are going to do with the HQ SQL is RMS, then Express or Workgroup is all you need. If you plan on running other things than RMS like Reporting Services, start at Standard.
Cores vs. CALs, first don't confuse 2008 and 2012 versions. 2008 is by processor, 2012 is by cores in that processor. They are different and something Microsoft promised never to do. 2008 is sold by processor, no matter how many cores it had. 2012 is sold by cores, so think about how many single core processors there are nowadays. Again compare your prices vs CALs.
Also note, RMS is not expected to use SQL 2012 until late next year with the Next Gen RMS version. 2012 breaks RMS right now.
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