SQL Server considerations
Express Version or Full version?
Microsoft SQL Server is available as a free, scaled down Express version, and as a priced, full server version. You can use both versions with PME. However, the Express version has the following built in limitations:
- Maximum database size of 10 GB.
- No SQL Server Agent service.
- Limited to lesser of 1 socket or 4 cores.
- Limited to use a maximum of 1 GB of the total system RAM.
In addition, PME has the following limitations when used with SQL Server Express:
- Only supported for Standalone systems, not for Distributed Database systems.
- Not supported for systems with Power Quality Performance module.
NOTE: PME includes a free version of SQL Server Express. You have the option to install this Express version during the installation of PME, if you do not want to use a different SQL Server.
Existing or new SQL Server?
You can use PME with an existing SQL Server, or you can install a new one. The following table lists the installation requirements for new and existing SQL Server types:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| New SQL Server Standard |
PME requires a certain configuration of the SQL Server. |
| New SQL Server Express |
PME includes a free version of SQL Server Express. You have the option to install this Express version during the installation of PME. |
| Existing SQL Server Standard |
To use an existing instance of SQL Server Standard , the SQL Server setup wizard must be rerun to configure the software correctly for use with PME. |
| Existing SQL Server Express | The PME installer can add a new instance to an existing SQL Server Express for use with PME. |
NOTE: The operating system and SQL Server combination you choose must be supported by Microsoft. This applies to edition, version, and 32-/64-bit.
SQL Server clustering
Clustering refers to a group of two or more SQL Servers that work together and appear as a single server to the outside. When a client connects to an SQL Server cluster, it appears that there is only a single SQL Server. In case of a server failure, the remaining servers take over without an interruption. Using clustering increases system availability.
PME can be used in a clustered environment when deployed in a Distributed Database architecture.
- The Application Server is deployed in a non-clustered environment.
- The SQL Server component is deployed in the clustered environment.
NOTE: SQL Server clustering is only supported for Distributed Database systems, not for Standalone systems.
SQL Server compute capacity
When using SQL Server in virtualized environment, there is a defined compute capacity limit on the sockets and cores of CPU as per the SQL Server edition. The performance of the SQL server depends on this compute capacity limit. See Compute capacity limits by edition of SQL Server for more information. Plan your SQL server virtualized environment deployment as per the compute capacity limit to achieve better performance.