What SQL Server 2008 Edition can I fly with?

Question

Hello, I have designed an ecommerce software suite that I am going to be hosting for multiple sites (20-50) on a single Virtual Dedicated Server. (64-Bit, machine that has 960 MB of RAM)

Each site has its own database. I plan to install SQL Server 2008 however I am not sure which version is best. I would like to start with the free express version, and then later if I start making $ upgrade. (I would also upgrade to 2 GB of system RAM too)

Do you guys think this is a smart move? Or would upgrading & migrating later on be a huge nightmare?

Answer 1

The big problem with Express is that you cannot automate backups.

Answer 2

If you're going to be running that many sites off of one machine, I'd stop worrying about which database to run and start worrying about your infrastructure. I hightly doubt a server with a gig of RAM is going to be able to handle the load if any of those sites take off...but that's just me.

As far as DB Server to go with...at least pick up SQL Server Standard. It'll at least give you automated backups (which, in an e-commerce environment, you're going to need...especially if your software stores credit cards...which is a whole other security story).

Once your sites pick up traffic, you'll need to expand both your hardware and software platform. Good luck!

Answer 3

Because you expose the database to an Internet site you multiplex an unlimited number of users, so the license has to be per physical processor (all VMs sharing a processor need only one license). Princing for Standard Edition per processor is ~5k, Enterprise Edition is ~25k.

I'm not sure what is your budget, but unless you qualify for BizSpark and get the license fs for free, for a start I'd stay with Express. All automation tasks on Express (like backup and maintenance) can still occur using something else than Agent.

Answer 4

If you're a startup definitely check out BizSpark. It can definitely help with licensing costs. You can run any edition of SQL in production.

More on BizSpark.

Answer 5

MSSQL 2008 Express Edition should be fine. For a Windows 2008 VPS check out UltimaHosts as they are the industry leader and are having a special on at the moment.