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j4piper

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SQL 2000 Evaluation Download

Back in September I downloaded this 120 day copy to my Dell Multi-CPU Server.

Working great but will soon run out on the license trial period.

I want to upgrade this version to SQL 2005 Enterprise with 25 licenses.

My question is the following; Is MS SQL 2000 Trail Copy a wide-open version that utilizes all the processors in my server (Server has 8 Xeon CPUs), therefore giving me full performance?

My next question is; If I am expecting at least the same performance as SQL 2000 on my server and upgrade to SQL 2005, what license model do I need to purchase?  Standard? Enterprise?  I am needing at least 25 licenses for my users. I don't know how to spec out the Processor license?  

I want the most performance that I am seeing now with my SQL 2000 Trail Copy --- Not sure how that compares to the SQL 2005 Model?

Very confused from Microsoft purchasing model....once again.
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FiveForFighting

Here is a feature comparison of the SQL 2005 Editions for reference - It isn't a direct answer to your two questions but should shed some light on the feature differences (software/hardware) between the version you are using now and where you want to go.

http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinfo/features/compare-features.mspx?PHPSESSID=0324345d45ef1bf1f764044e03584cd0

Also - note that SQL2008 is already out and you may want to go with that over SQL2005.

Up to this point all my installs use per CPU licensed Standard Edition... that list prices for around $4K per processor.  I think that Enterprise Edition Per Processer is over 20K.  

That being said - if you only need 25 clients - then you may want to look at Client Access Licensing (CALS) - regardless of the version you go with since the break even between CALS / Per Processor (on standard) was around 80 users or so.

I would advise getting in touch with someone at MS and discussing your performance needs and licensing options with them.
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ASKER

That is a good chart.  Thank you.

I guess I don't understand the 1-Processor Enterprise Edition versus the Enterprise Edition version?

I have searched MS website all over and have not found a number to call them.  Ideas?

Thanks.
The Enterprise Edition is just the Enterprise Edition.  How many processors you want to use = how expensive it is going to be.  My servers run standard w/ two Processors.  I had to buy two processor licenses per server to run them.  As you can see - with Enterprise Edition it can start to get expensive - not that it isn't worth it in many cases.

Some pricing info - http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2005/en/us/pricing.aspx

Some major resellers that should be able to answer specific licensing questions and/or put you directly in touch w/ a MS rep in your business area. - http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2005/en/us/large-account-resellers.aspx
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ASKER

Do you have any idea on SQL 2000 Eval from MS as to how many processors it used?

What I don't want to do is buy a copy of SQL 2005 EE and find out that it is slower than the SQL 2000 Eval copy then have to scramble and buy more speed.

Thoughts?
In the Enterprise Manager you can right click on the connection - look at the properties - and see how many processors are being used by SQL Server.
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ASKER

Shows to be running all 8 processors.  Does this mean that I am going to be spending a Billion dollars on a SQL 2005 license to be equivalent to the SQL 2000 version?

One new question: I just downloaded an eval version of SQL 2005 EE.  To upgrade my current SQL 2000, is it a matter of running the install and it will know that it's an upgrade, making the upgrade smooth?

Joe
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FiveForFighting

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You are good!  Thank you for the directions.