Using Service Broker with Sql Server Express 2008

Question

Is it possible to use external activation on sql express without going thru sql enterprise/standard?

I would like to send a message to sql express service broker, then have it notify my external application service running on the same box, in order to kick off a console app to pickup the message and process it. I do this already successfully from a remote Sql Enterprise db.

But now I need everything self contained on one box with Sql express, without using the remote Sql Enterprise.

However sql express has limitations so I'm wondering if I can use sql express as described in a stand alone configuration, without going thru Sql Enterprise. Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

You can do that, as long as the box sending the message is non-express edition.

The edition-related limitation of Service Broker is that a message must go through at least one non-express instance on its way from the sending service to the receiving service. There are no limitations on the External Activator service itself.