SQL Server 2005 Licensing concern.

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  • Guillermo_Lopez

    SQL Server 2005 Licensing concern.

    Hello,

    Our company has developed several Access applications for our clients
    and we wish to expand to use a database server. We wish to use Access
    as the front end application and SQL Server 2005 as the back end
    Databes Server. Making a Server-Client application database.

    I'm very new to SQL Server so my concern is how the licensing works
    for a developer like us. I am aware that we can purchase the Developer
    edition for $49 USD. Our clients will then have to purchase a their
    respective licensing option.

    We do not have an issue with this, but i would like a better
    understanding of how this works.

    1) The developer edition (DE) is the same as the Enterprise edition.
    Would our clients have to buy the Enterprise edition ($24,999) if we
    develop the SQL server in the DE? Or can they purchase the Standard
    or Workgroup edition if the workload allows it?

    2) If the client already has the Enterprise Edition on the Server we
    wish to use, will they have to buy the license again if we create the
    Database? Can they import our Database to thier SQL Server, and our
    application connects to thiers?

    3) Is there other options that would require a cheaper option for our
    clients?

    4) With just the DE, can we develope applications and use the
    appropriate edition for our clients whatever it is?

    5) To test our products we thought of using the Trial version to
    simulate a multi-user test environment? Since thats just a 180 day
    trial, perhaps the Worgroup Edition or the Light weight Edition might
    work. But these editions might not be compatible with our clients'
    requirements. The DE doesn't seem to handle multi-user environments,
    so we cant effectively test how the application will perform in the
    "real world". Any advices here?

    Our clients range from small bussiness to nation-wide to multi-
    national companies.

    Thanks,

    - GL
  • Neil

    #2
    Re: SQL Server 2005 Licensing concern.

    Others will be able to answer your questions more fully. But I just wanted
    to note that I develop in MS-Access, using a SQL Server back end. I use the
    developer edition to develop and maintain the database on my development
    machine, and the client has a sister copy of the database on their server.
    There are no licensing issues related to creating the database on one
    machine and copying it to another. As long as the client has a licensed copy
    of SQL Server that is sufficient for their needs, that's all you have to
    worry about. You can use the DE to develop the database, and then have the
    client use whatever version they have.

    Re. "Can they import our Database to thier SQL Server, and our application
    connects to thiers?" You can; but I don't think that's the best approach.
    Better would be to have a sister setup on your development machine for
    development and testing, and have the ability to connect to the client's
    system via PCAnywhere or Remote Desktop or other to be able to install,
    test, and maintain their system.

    Hope that helps a little.

    Neil



    "Guillermo_Lope z" <g.lopez@iesdr. comwrote in message
    news:327c1c3a-3b92-41a9-b5eb-a4191798ccf1@e6 g2000prf.google groups.com...
    Hello,
    >
    Our company has developed several Access applications for our clients
    and we wish to expand to use a database server. We wish to use Access
    as the front end application and SQL Server 2005 as the back end
    Databes Server. Making a Server-Client application database.
    >
    I'm very new to SQL Server so my concern is how the licensing works
    for a developer like us. I am aware that we can purchase the Developer
    edition for $49 USD. Our clients will then have to purchase a their
    respective licensing option.
    >
    We do not have an issue with this, but i would like a better
    understanding of how this works.
    >
    1) The developer edition (DE) is the same as the Enterprise edition.
    Would our clients have to buy the Enterprise edition ($24,999) if we
    develop the SQL server in the DE? Or can they purchase the Standard
    or Workgroup edition if the workload allows it?
    >
    2) If the client already has the Enterprise Edition on the Server we
    wish to use, will they have to buy the license again if we create the
    Database? Can they import our Database to thier SQL Server, and our
    application connects to thiers?
    >
    3) Is there other options that would require a cheaper option for our
    clients?
    >
    4) With just the DE, can we develope applications and use the
    appropriate edition for our clients whatever it is?
    >
    5) To test our products we thought of using the Trial version to
    simulate a multi-user test environment? Since thats just a 180 day
    trial, perhaps the Worgroup Edition or the Light weight Edition might
    work. But these editions might not be compatible with our clients'
    requirements. The DE doesn't seem to handle multi-user environments,
    so we cant effectively test how the application will perform in the
    "real world". Any advices here?
    >
    Our clients range from small bussiness to nation-wide to multi-
    national companies.
    >
    Thanks,
    >
    - GL

    Comment

    • David Portas

      #3
      Re: SQL Server 2005 Licensing concern.

      "Guillermo_Lope z" <g.lopez@iesdr. comwrote in message
      news:327c1c3a-3b92-41a9-b5eb-a4191798ccf1@e6 g2000prf.google groups.com...
      Hello,
      >
      Our company has developed several Access applications for our clients
      and we wish to expand to use a database server. We wish to use Access
      as the front end application and SQL Server 2005 as the back end
      Databes Server. Making a Server-Client application database.
      >
      I'm very new to SQL Server so my concern is how the licensing works
      for a developer like us. I am aware that we can purchase the Developer
      edition for $49 USD. Our clients will then have to purchase a their
      respective licensing option.
      >
      We do not have an issue with this, but i would like a better
      understanding of how this works.
      >
      1) The developer edition (DE) is the same as the Enterprise edition.
      Would our clients have to buy the Enterprise edition ($24,999) if we
      develop the SQL server in the DE? Or can they purchase the Standard
      or Workgroup edition if the workload allows it?
      >
      2) If the client already has the Enterprise Edition on the Server we
      wish to use, will they have to buy the license again if we create the
      Database? Can they import our Database to thier SQL Server, and our
      application connects to thiers?
      >
      3) Is there other options that would require a cheaper option for our
      clients?
      >
      4) With just the DE, can we develope applications and use the
      appropriate edition for our clients whatever it is?
      >
      5) To test our products we thought of using the Trial version to
      simulate a multi-user test environment? Since thats just a 180 day
      trial, perhaps the Worgroup Edition or the Light weight Edition might
      work. But these editions might not be compatible with our clients'
      requirements. The DE doesn't seem to handle multi-user environments,
      so we cant effectively test how the application will perform in the
      "real world". Any advices here?
      >
      Our clients range from small bussiness to nation-wide to multi-
      national companies.
      >
      Thanks,
      >
      - GL

      The client can use whatever edition suits your application and their needs.
      It's the client's repsonsibility to ensure they are properly licensed. The
      cheapest is Express Edition (free to acquire).


      I don't know why you think that DE doesn't handle "multi-user environments".
      DE can do everything that Enterprise can do. DE is licensed per developer
      and is very suitable for test purposes. The only problem comes if you want
      to test against a Standard or Workgroup install because there is no Standard
      or Workgroup equivalent of DE (the Trial edition is equivalent to a
      time-limited version of DE). I think your cheapest option for a Standard or
      Workgroup test environment is to get an MSDN subscription, which gives you
      all the editions.

      --
      David Portas


      Comment

      • Guillermo_Lopez

        #4
        Re: SQL Server 2005 Licensing concern.

        On Mar 5, 5:42 pm, "David Portas"
        <REMOVE_BEFORE_ REPLYING_dpor.. .@acm.orgwrote:
        "Guillermo_Lope z" <g.lo...@iesdr. comwrote in message
        >
        news:327c1c3a-3b92-41a9-b5eb-a4191798ccf1@e6 g2000prf.google groups.com...
        >
        >
        >
        >
        >
        Hello,
        >
        Our company has developed several Access applications for our clients
        and we wish to expand to use a database server. We wish to use Access
        as the front end application and SQL Server 2005 as the back end
        Databes Server. Making a Server-Client application database.
        >
        I'm very new to SQL Server so my concern is how the licensing works
        for a developer like us. I am aware that we can purchase the Developer
        edition for $49 USD. Our clients will then have to purchase a their
        respective licensing option.
        >
        We do not have an issue with this, but i would like a better
        understanding of how this works.
        >
        1) The developer edition (DE) is the same as the Enterprise edition.
        Would our clients have to buy the Enterprise edition ($24,999) if we
        develop the SQL server in the DE?  Or can they purchase the Standard
        or Workgroup edition if the workload allows it?
        >
        2) If the client already has the Enterprise Edition on the Server we
        wish to use, will they have to buy the license again if we create the
        Database? Can they import our Database to thier SQL Server, and our
        application connects to thiers?
        >
        3) Is there other options that would require a cheaper option for our
        clients?
        >
        4) With just the DE, can we develope applications and use the
        appropriate edition for our clients whatever it is?
        >
        5) To test our products we thought of using the Trial version to
        simulate a multi-user test environment? Since thats just a 180 day
        trial, perhaps the Worgroup Edition or the Light weight Edition might
        work. But these editions might not be compatible with our clients'
        requirements. The DE doesn't seem to handle multi-user environments,
        so we cant effectively test how the application will perform in the
        "real world". Any advices here?
        >
        Our clients range from small bussiness to nation-wide to multi-
        national companies.
        >
        Thanks,
        >
        - GL
        >
        The client can use whatever edition suits your application and their needs..
        It's the client's repsonsibility to ensure they are properly licensed. The
        cheapest is Express Edition (free to acquire).http://www.microsoft.com/sql/howtobuy/licensing.mspx
        >
        I don't know why you think that DE doesn't handle "multi-user environments".
        DE can do everything that Enterprise can do. DE is licensed per developer
        and is very suitable for test purposes. The only problem comes if you want
        to test against a Standard or Workgroup install because there is no Standard
        or Workgroup equivalent of DE (the Trial edition is equivalent to a
        time-limited version of DE). I think your cheapest option for a Standard or
        Workgroup test environment is to get an MSDN subscription, which gives you
        all the editions.
        >
        --
        David Portas- Hide quoted text -
        >
        - Show quoted text -
        Thaks for the quick reply both of you. This is pretty much what I
        expected, but i needed to clarify some things that weren't said on the
        MicroSoft sales pitch.

        Its not that I dont think that the DE can't handled multi user
        environment. Since we will only license one DE that means that one one
        of us can use it at a time. So we wouldn't be able to test how the
        application and SQL server responses to several users at the same
        time. However, this seems like a non-issue, and I'm sure there are
        work-arounds for this.

        Thanks

        - GL

        Comment

        • David Portas

          #5
          Re: SQL Server 2005 Licensing concern.

          Actually the Dev licence is per developer or tester no matter how many
          installs or how many are connected concurrently. Nothing to stop you running
          hundreds of copies provided your devs and testers are licensed. That's my
          interpretation but see:


          --
          David Portas


          Comment

          • Erland Sommarskog

            #6
            Re: SQL Server 2005 Licensing concern.

            Guillermo_Lopez (g.lopez@iesdr. com) writes:
            Thaks for the quick reply both of you. This is pretty much what I
            expected, but i needed to clarify some things that weren't said on the
            MicroSoft sales pitch.
            >
            Its not that I dont think that the DE can't handled multi user
            environment. Since we will only license one DE that means that one one
            of us can use it at a time. So we wouldn't be able to test how the
            application and SQL server responses to several users at the same
            time. However, this seems like a non-issue, and I'm sure there are
            work-arounds for this.
            I will have to admit that I have mostly slept over the fine details
            of the licenses. But I would be very surprised if the DevEdition did
            not permit multiple users to connect. Else how would a shop be able
            to have a common development database?

            The main problem I see with DevEdition is that you may inadvertently
            use features that are not available in Standard or Workgroup edition.
            A simple and cheap way out is to test against SQL Express which is
            free. Of course, this presumes that you don't need features unavailable
            in Express.


            --
            Erland Sommarskog, SQL Server MVP, esquel@sommarsk og.se

            Books Online for SQL Server 2005 at

            Books Online for SQL Server 2000 at

            Comment

            • Guillermo_Lopez

              #7
              Re: SQL Server 2005 Licensing concern.

              If the DE allowed multiple users than companies just had to buy one
              $49 server and use that. And I know thats can't work.

              As far as the features. My guess will be to understand what features
              each edition has and programmed carefully based on that. If thats the
              case, I'm guessing that a Database developed using the DE will work ok
              in the Standard/Express/Workgroup editions.

              On Mar 5, 6:06 pm, Erland Sommarskog <esq...@sommars kog.sewrote:
              Guillermo_Lopez (g.lo...@iesdr. com) writes:
              Thaks for the quick reply both of you. This is pretty much what I
              expected, but i needed to clarify some things that weren't said on the
              MicroSoft sales pitch.
              >
              Its not that I dont think that the DE can't handled multi user
              environment. Since we will only license one DE that means that one one
              of us can use it at a time. So we wouldn't be able to test how the
              application and SQL server responses to several users at the same
              time. However, this seems like a non-issue, and I'm sure there are
              work-arounds for this.
              >
              I will have to admit that I have mostly slept over the fine details
              of the licenses. But I would be very surprised if the DevEdition did
              not permit multiple users to connect. Else how would a shop be able
              to have a common development database?
              >
              The main problem I see with DevEdition is that you may inadvertently
              use features that are not available in Standard or Workgroup edition.
              A simple and cheap way out is to test against SQL Express which is
              free. Of course, this presumes that you don't need features unavailable
              in Express.
              >
              --
              Erland Sommarskog, SQL Server MVP, esq...@sommarsk og.se
              >
              Books Online for SQL Server 2005 athttp://www.microsoft.c om/technet/prodtechnol/sql/2005/downloads/books...
              Books Online for SQL Server 2000 athttp://www.microsoft.c om/sql/prodinfo/previousversion s/books.mspx

              Comment

              • Albert D. Kallal

                #8
                Re: SQL Server 2005 Licensing concern.

                In place of spending the $49, I downloaded the free "express" edition of sql
                server.

                Your clients can do the above also, and it not cost them a dime....

                The free express editions can be found here:


                about:


                Note that the free express visual studio tools are REALLY REALLY nice, and
                even has stuff like lunching the query builder in the middle of a stored
                proc (just highlight the sql..right click).

                Even more stunning is that the text indexing system is also now free, and
                that for years was a big expensive add on for sql server.

                You even get the relational diagramming tools etc. in the express studio. It
                really amazing and nice..

                I suspect that a ms-access newsgroup is not the best place to ask about sql
                licensing. There is some links above. And, from what the above says, if you
                looking to deploy an application with sql server, your customers for the
                most part don't need to purchase sql server at all now....it is free...

                To state that many of my fellow developers are not using this express
                edition would be an understatement. .

                --
                Albert D. Kallal (Access MVP)
                Edmonton, Alberta Canada
                pleaseNOOSpamKa llal@msn.com



                Comment

                • Greg D. Moore \(Strider\)

                  #9
                  Re: SQL Server 2005 Licensing concern.

                  "Guillermo_Lope z" <g.lopez@iesdr. comwrote in message
                  news:4ba1e453-d16f-44a7-9caf-07ea49d71860@m3 g2000hsc.google groups.com...
                  If the DE allowed multiple users than companies just had to buy one
                  $49 server and use that. And I know thats can't work.
                  =============== =======

                  DE allows multiple users. And note, it's $49 per developer.

                  The reason companies don't use DE in production environments is for legal
                  reasons, not technical.

                  =============== =======

                  As far as the features. My guess will be to understand what features
                  each edition has and programmed carefully based on that. If thats the
                  case, I'm guessing that a Database developed using the DE will work ok
                  in the Standard/Express/Workgroup editions.

                  =============== =======

                  MS has papers on this but generally the Enterprise Edition is focused on
                  High Availibility.

                  Pretty much you should be fine developing in DE and having it run on other
                  versions.


                  =============== =======

                  --
                  Greg Moore
                  SQL Server DBA Consulting Remote and Onsite available!
                  Email: sql (at) greenms.com http://www.greenms.com/sqlserver.html


                  Comment

                  • Tom van Stiphout

                    #10
                    Re: SQL Server 2005 Licensing concern.

                    On Wed, 5 Mar 2008 13:19:40 -0800 (PST), Guillermo_Lopez
                    <g.lopez@iesdr. comwrote:

                    In all the years of building SQL Server solutions for our clients,
                    I've used the Enterprise Edition only once.
                    Your clients can buy whatever version their workload allows, including
                    the free Express edition. The Standard edition on a $7K box really
                    flies.
                    Yes, the code for the various versions is interchangable, with few
                    exceptions. For example I understand the Express edition doesn't have
                    the full Reporting Services available.
                    Rebuilding a server machine every 180 days doesn't seem such a bad
                    trade-off. Of course you could also subscribe to MSDN and get some of
                    the bigger versions as part of your subscription.

                    -Tom.


                    >Hello,
                    >
                    >Our company has developed several Access applications for our clients
                    >and we wish to expand to use a database server. We wish to use Access
                    >as the front end application and SQL Server 2005 as the back end
                    >Databes Server. Making a Server-Client application database.
                    >
                    >I'm very new to SQL Server so my concern is how the licensing works
                    >for a developer like us. I am aware that we can purchase the Developer
                    >edition for $49 USD. Our clients will then have to purchase a their
                    >respective licensing option.
                    >
                    >We do not have an issue with this, but i would like a better
                    >understandin g of how this works.
                    >
                    >1) The developer edition (DE) is the same as the Enterprise edition.
                    >Would our clients have to buy the Enterprise edition ($24,999) if we
                    >develop the SQL server in the DE? Or can they purchase the Standard
                    >or Workgroup edition if the workload allows it?
                    >
                    >2) If the client already has the Enterprise Edition on the Server we
                    >wish to use, will they have to buy the license again if we create the
                    >Database? Can they import our Database to thier SQL Server, and our
                    >application connects to thiers?
                    >
                    >3) Is there other options that would require a cheaper option for our
                    >clients?
                    >
                    >4) With just the DE, can we develope applications and use the
                    >appropriate edition for our clients whatever it is?
                    >
                    >5) To test our products we thought of using the Trial version to
                    >simulate a multi-user test environment? Since thats just a 180 day
                    >trial, perhaps the Worgroup Edition or the Light weight Edition might
                    >work. But these editions might not be compatible with our clients'
                    >requirements . The DE doesn't seem to handle multi-user environments,
                    >so we cant effectively test how the application will perform in the
                    >"real world". Any advices here?
                    >
                    >Our clients range from small bussiness to nation-wide to multi-
                    >national companies.
                    >
                    >Thanks,
                    >
                    >- GL

                    Comment

                    • Larry Linson

                      #11
                      Re: SQL Server 2005 Licensing concern.

                      For definitive information on licensing, you need to go either directly to
                      Microsoft or to the Microsoft-authorized reseller from whom you/your clients
                      would obtain their license. As far as I know, not even in the
                      Microsoft-sponsored public newsgroups is there one about licensing
                      provisions.

                      I really rather strongly doubt that using the Developer Edition forces your
                      client to license the Enterprise Edition, however.

                      Larry Linson
                      Microsoft Office Access MVP

                      "Guillermo_Lope z" <g.lopez@iesdr. comwrote in message
                      news:327c1c3a-3b92-41a9-b5eb-a4191798ccf1@e6 g2000prf.google groups.com...
                      Hello,
                      >
                      Our company has developed several Access applications for our clients
                      and we wish to expand to use a database server. We wish to use Access
                      as the front end application and SQL Server 2005 as the back end
                      Databes Server. Making a Server-Client application database.
                      >
                      I'm very new to SQL Server so my concern is how the licensing works
                      for a developer like us. I am aware that we can purchase the Developer
                      edition for $49 USD. Our clients will then have to purchase a their
                      respective licensing option.
                      >
                      We do not have an issue with this, but i would like a better
                      understanding of how this works.
                      >
                      1) The developer edition (DE) is the same as the Enterprise edition.
                      Would our clients have to buy the Enterprise edition ($24,999) if we
                      develop the SQL server in the DE? Or can they purchase the Standard
                      or Workgroup edition if the workload allows it?
                      >
                      2) If the client already has the Enterprise Edition on the Server we
                      wish to use, will they have to buy the license again if we create the
                      Database? Can they import our Database to thier SQL Server, and our
                      application connects to thiers?
                      >
                      3) Is there other options that would require a cheaper option for our
                      clients?
                      >
                      4) With just the DE, can we develope applications and use the
                      appropriate edition for our clients whatever it is?
                      >
                      5) To test our products we thought of using the Trial version to
                      simulate a multi-user test environment? Since thats just a 180 day
                      trial, perhaps the Worgroup Edition or the Light weight Edition might
                      work. But these editions might not be compatible with our clients'
                      requirements. The DE doesn't seem to handle multi-user environments,
                      so we cant effectively test how the application will perform in the
                      "real world". Any advices here?
                      >
                      Our clients range from small bussiness to nation-wide to multi-
                      national companies.
                      >
                      Thanks,
                      >
                      - GL

                      Comment

                      • lyle

                        #12
                        Re: SQL Server 2005 Licensing concern.

                        On Mar 5, 4:19 pm, Guillermo_Lopez <g.lo...@iesdr. comwrote:
                        5) To test our products we thought of using the Trial version to
                        simulate a multi-user test environment? Since thats just a 180 day
                        trial, perhaps the Worgroup Edition or the Light weight Edition might
                        work. But these editions might not be compatible with our clients'
                        requirements. The DE doesn't seem to handle multi-user environments,
                        so we cant effectively test how the application will perform in the
                        "real world". Any advices here?


                        This works well for me.

                        Comment

                        • Guillermo_Lopez

                          #13
                          Re: SQL Server 2005 Licensing concern.

                          Thanks alot everybody.

                          This has been quite educational for me and hopefully for new aspiring
                          developers in the same track. Thanks again.

                          - GL

                          Comment

                          • Erland Sommarskog

                            #14
                            Re: SQL Server 2005 Licensing concern.

                            Albert D. Kallal (PleaseNOOOsPAM mkallal@msn.com ) writes:
                            Note that the free express visual studio tools are REALLY REALLY nice, and
                            even has stuff like lunching the query builder in the middle of a stored
                            proc (just highlight the sql..right click).
                            The query builder is an awful that breaks several best practices in
                            SQL Server. I definitely recommend against using it.


                            --
                            Erland Sommarskog, SQL Server MVP, esquel@sommarsk og.se

                            Books Online for SQL Server 2005 at

                            Books Online for SQL Server 2000 at

                            Comment

                            • Tony Toews [MVP]

                              #15
                              Re: SQL Server 2005 Licensing concern.

                              Guillermo_Lopez <g.lopez@iesdr. comwrote:
                              >1) The developer edition (DE) is the same as the Enterprise edition.
                              >Would our clients have to buy the Enterprise edition ($24,999) if we
                              >develop the SQL server in the DE? Or can they purchase the Standard
                              >or Workgroup edition if the workload allows it?
                              I am *NOT* a licensing expert.

                              However I see no reason why the client couldn't event go with free SQL Server Express
                              edition if the work load allowed it.
                              >2) If the client already has the Enterprise Edition on the Server we
                              >wish to use, will they have to buy the license again if we create the
                              >Database? Can they import our Database to thier SQL Server, and our
                              >application connects to thiers?
                              I would think that the license is per machine. So throwing your database on, so long
                              as it doesn't overload the system should be fine.
                              >4) With just the DE, can we develope applications and use the
                              >appropriate edition for our clients whatever it is?
                              I would think so as you the dev are using the SQL Server Express edition.
                              >5) To test our products we thought of using the Trial version to
                              >simulate a multi-user test environment? Since thats just a 180 day
                              >trial, perhaps the Worgroup Edition or the Light weight Edition might
                              >work. But these editions might not be compatible with our clients'
                              >requirements . The DE doesn't seem to handle multi-user environments,
                              >so we cant effectively test how the application will perform in the
                              >"real world". Any advices here?
                              My understanding is that the various editions are almost binary identical. The
                              difference being in whatever makes them specific to their environment such as number
                              of processors allowed and such.

                              Thus testing on the SQL Server Express edition installed on a server should be a good
                              technical test. It may not be a good volume real world test for 250 users of course.

                              But note that everything I've said is my understanding. I'm not a licensing expert.

                              Tony
                              --
                              Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
                              Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
                              read the entire thread of messages.
                              Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at

                              Tony's Microsoft Access Blog - http://msmvps.com/blogs/access/

                              Comment

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