Best Server to Run SQL 2008 R2

[bankajac]

I think that Web Server 2008 R2 supports running SQL Server. My question is, which of the 2008 flavors is best or does it even matter? It will be a dedicated server running SQL 2008 Server R2.

[sc302 Veteran]

well if you want more than 4gb of memory, you are going to need to run 64bit os. that leaves 2008r2 and 2008 64. You would be fine with 2008r2 standard unless you want to get into clustering.

SQL has 2 license modes. Per user or Per physical processor (not cores), the price breaking point is around 50 users. If you have more than 50 you are better off going with the per processor route, if you have less then you are better going per user. Unless you have a massive database that needs multiple processors.

[Ghost5525]

  On 22/11/2010 at 03:03, bankajac said:

I think that Web Server 2008 R2 supports running SQL Server. My question is, which of the 2008 flavors is best or does it even matter? It will be a dedicated server running SQL 2008 Server R2.

Since it will likely be 64bit SQL , i'd look into seeing down the road if you plan to do clustering, if not you could probably get away with Standard edition, i'd research weather or not Web Server will run SQL if not Enterprise is the next step up and you can typically get good pricing on it if you're a business.

  On 22/11/2010 at 03:10, sc302 said:

well if you want more than 4gb of memory, you are going to need to run 64bit os. that leaves 2008r2 and 2008 64. You would be fine with 2008r2 standard unless you want to get into clustering.

Most server flavors of Windows don't have the 4gb problem - 2008 64bit and 2008 R2 (only 64bit no 32bit version).

[sc302 Veteran]

  On 22/11/2010 at 03:14, Ryan Price said:

not all 2008 servers are 64 bit, which is why I mentioned it. however r2 is only 64bit.

[bankajac]

I would be only looking at the R2 flavors of Server 2008 which is 64 bit only. So, if I go with Web or Standard, then I can't do clustering? I believe that in the past Web would not support running SQL Server, but Microsoft removed that limitation.

Is clustering the only reason I should use Enterprise to run SQL?

[sc302 Veteran]

Pretty much. there are some other small features, but that is the main reason to go enterprise.

[Prophecy]

However clustering is only viable when considering how large of a company and the type of data being backed up. Most small business and even medium sized business never cluster. I wish they would. A good backup strategy and VM solution can offset the need for a clustered solution.

Good luck.