Home Library Learn Downloads Support Community
Sign in | United States - English | |

Hardware and Software Requirements for Installing SQL Server 2008

SQL Server 2008

The following sections list the minimum hardware and software requirements to install and run SQL Server 2008.

For both 32-bit and 64-bit editions of SQL Server 2008, the following apply:

  • SQL Server 2008 Enterprise is available for evaluation during a 180-day trial period. For more information, see the SQL Server: How to Buy1 Web site.

  • Microsoft recommends that you run SQL Server 2008 on computers with the NTFS file format. For upgrades to SQL Server 2008, FAT32 file systems will not be blocked.

  • SQL Server Setup will block installations on read-only or compressed drives.

  • For information about using SQL Server 2008 tools to prepare for an upgrade to SQL Server 2008, see Using Upgrade Advisor to Prepare for Upgrades2.

  • SQL Server does not install the .NET Framework 3.5 software development kit (SDK). However, the SDK contains tools that are useful when you use the .NET Framework for SQL Server development. You can download the .NET Framework SDK from the .NET Framework3 Web site.

  • Requirements to restart computers during SQL Server Setup: Installation of the .NET Framework requires a restart of the operating system. If Windows Installer installation also requires a restart, Setup will wait until the .NET Framework and Windows Installer components have installed before restarting.

  • For more information about features of SQL Server 2008, see the following:

The following requirements apply to all SQL Server 2008 installations:

Component

Requirement

Framework2

SQL Server Setup installs the following software components required by the product:

  • .NET Framework 3.5 SP11

  • SQL Server Native Client

  • SQL Server Setup support files

Software2

SQL Server Setup requires Microsoft Windows Installer 4.5 or a later version

After installing required components, SQL Server Setup will verify that the computer where SQL Server 2008 will be installed also meets all the other requirements for a successful installation. For more information, see Check Parameters for the System Configuration Checker6.

Network Software

Network software requirements for the 64-bit versions of SQL Server 2008 are the same as the requirements for the 32-bit versions.

Supported operating systems have built-in network software. Stand-alone named and default instances support the following network protocols:

  • Shared memory

  • Named Pipes

  • TCP/IP

  • VIA

Note   Shared memory and VIA are not supported on failover clusters.

Virtualization

SQL Server 2008 is supported in virtual machine environments running on the Hyper-V role in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008 Standard, Enterprise and Datacenter editions. The virtual machine must run an operating system supported for the specific SQL Server 2008 edition listed later in this topic.

In addition to resources required by the parent partition, each virtual machine (child partition) must be provided with sufficient processor resources, memory, and disk resources for its SQL Server 2008 instance. Requirements are listed later in this topic.3

Within the Hyper-V role on Windows Server 2008, a maximum of four virtual processors can be allocated to virtual machines running Windows Server 2008 32-bit or 64-bit editions. A maximum of 2 virtual processors can be allocated to virtual computers that are running Windows Server 2003 32-bit editions. For virtual computer that host other operating systems, a maximum of one virtual processor can be allocated to virtual computers.

Notes:

Internet Software

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 SP1 or a later version is required for all installations of SQL Server 2008. Internet Explorer 6 SP1 or a later version is required for Microsoft Management Console (MMC), SQL Server Management Studio, Business Intelligence Development Studio, the Report Designer component of Reporting Services, and HTML Help.

Hard Disk

Disk space requirements will vary with the SQL Server 2008 components you install. For more information, see Hard disk space requirements later in this topic.

Drive

A CD or DVD drive, as appropriate, is required for installation from disc.

Display

SQL Server 2008 graphical tools require VGA or higher resolution: at least 1,024x768 pixel resolution.

Other Devices

Pointing device: A Microsoft mouse or compatible pointing device is required.

1The following .NET Framework versions are required:

  • SQL Server 2008 on Windows Server 2003 (64-bit) IA64 — .NET Framework 2.0 SP2

  • SQL Server Express — .NET Framework 2.0 SP2

  • All other editions of SQL Server 2008 — .NET Framework 3.5 SP1

Installation of .NET Framework requires a restart of the operating system. If Windows Installer installation also requires a restart, Setup will wait until .NET Framework and Windows Installer components have installed before restarting.

Note Note

Installing .NET Framework 2.0 SP2: .NET Framework 2.0 SP2 is not available as a separate download. You will need to install .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 which includes .NET Framework 2.0 SP2.

2SQL Server Setup will not install the following required components for SQL Server Express ,SQL Server Express with Tools, and SQL Server Express with Advanced Services. You must install these components manually before you run SQL Server Setup:

  • SQL Server Express — .NET Framework 2.0 SP2 and Windows installer 4.5. On Windows Vista, use .NET Framework 3.5 SP1.

  • SQL Server Express with Advanced Services — .NET Framework 3.5 SP1, Windows Installer 4.5, and Windows PowerShell 1.0.

  • SQL Server Express with Tools — .NET Framework 3.5 SP1, Windows Installer 4.5, and Windows PowerShell 1.0.

Note Note

SQL Server 2008 Express SP1 is now available in two formats: SQL Server 2008 Express SP1 with the Microsoft .NET Framework version 3.5 SP1 support and SQL Server 2008 Express SP1 with the Microsoft .NET Framework version 4.0 Beta 2 support. There are no functional differences between these two formats. Either package supports computers running .NET Framework 2.0 SP2 or .NET Framework 3.5 SP1. For computers running .NET Framework 4 Beta 2 only, install SQL Server 2008 Express SP1 with the .NET Framework 4 Beta 2 support.

3As with all virtualization technologies, SQL Server 2008 running in a Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V virtual computer will be slower than on a physical computer with the same physical resources.

To view system requirements, select an edition of SQL Server 2008:

Server Editions of SQL Server 2008

Specialized Editions of SQL Server 2008

Additional information in this topic

SQL Server 2008 Enterprise (64-bit) IA64

The following table shows system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Enterprise (64-bit) IA64. Note that this edition of SQL Server 2008 is not available in the following localized versions: Italian, Spanish, Brazilian (Portuguese), or Russian.

Component

Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Itanium processor or faster

Processor speed:

  • Recommended: 1.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows Server 2008 R2 Itanium IA642

Windows Server 2008 64-bit Itanium1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit Itanium Datacenter1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit Itanium Enterprise1

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum: 512 MB

  • Recommended: 2.048 GB or more

  • Maximum: Operating system maximum

1Management Tools are supported in WOW64, a feature of 64-bit editions of Windows that enables 32-bit applications to run natively in 32-bit mode. Applications function in 32-bit mode, even though the underlying operating system is running on the 64-bit operating system. WOW64 is supported only for stand-alone instances of SQL Server. WOW64 is not supported for SQL Server failover cluster installations.

2Supported only on SQL Server SP1 or higher

Note Note

SQL Server 2008 is not supported on Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Server Core installations.

SQL Server 2008 Enterprise (64-bit) x64

The following table shows system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Enterprise (64-bit) x64:

Component

Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Minimum: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.4 GHz

  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Datacenter1

Windows Server 2003  SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard 

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Datacenter 

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Datacenter without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise, 

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Web1,2

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Standard1,2

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1,2

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Datacenter1,2

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum:512 MB

  • Recommended: 2.048 GB or more

  • Maximum: Operating system maximum

1Management Tools are supported in WOW64, a feature of 64-bit editions of Windows that enables 32-bit applications to run natively in 32-bit mode. Applications function in 32-bit mode even though the underlying operating system is running on the 64-bit operating system. WOW64 is supported only for stand-alone instances of SQL Server. WOW64 is not supported for SQL Server failover cluster installations.

2Supported only on SQL Server SP1 or higher.

Note Note

SQL Server 2008 is not supported on Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Server Core installations.

SQL Server 2008 Standard (64-bit) x64

The following table shows system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Standard (64-bit) x64:

Component

Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Minimum: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.4 GHz

  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows XP Professional x64

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Datacenter1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Ultimate x64

Windows Vista Enterprise x64

Windows Vista Business x64

Windows Server 2008 x64 Web1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard, Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Datacenter, Windows Server 2008 x64 Datacenter without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise, Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Windows Small Business Server 20082

Windows Server 2008 for Windows Essential Server Solutions2

Windows Server 2008 without Hyper-V for Windows Essential Server Solutions2 

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Ultimate1,3

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Enterprise1,3

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Professional1,3

Windows 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Web1,3

Windows 2008 R2 Foundation Server1,3

Windows 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Standard1,3

Windows 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1,3

Windows 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Datacenter1,3

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum:512 MB

  • Recommended: 2.048 GB or more

  • Maximum: Operating system maximum

1Management Tools are supported in WOW64, a feature of 64-bit editions of Microsoft Windows that enables 32-bit applications to execute natively in 32-bit mode. Applications function in 32-bit mode even though the underlying operating system is running on the 64-bit operating system. WOW64 is supported only for stand-alone instances of SQL Server. WOW64 is not supported for SQL Server failover cluster installations.

2Supported Operating Systems for SQL Server Standard for Small Business

3Supported only on SQL Server SP1 or higher.

Note Note

SQL Server 2008 is not supported on Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Server Core installations.

SQL Server 2008 Enterprise (32-bit)

The following table shows the system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Enterprise (32-bit):

Component

Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Pentium III-compatible processor or faster

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.0 GHz

  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server R2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server R2 Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Enterprise

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Datacenter

Windows Server 2003 Small Business Server SP2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 Small Business Server SP2 Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Datacenter1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Server 2008 Standard (with and without Hyper-V)

Windows Server 2008 Web

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Datacenter

Windows Server 2008 x64 Datacenter without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Web1,2

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Standard1,2

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1,2

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Datacenter1,2

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum: 512 MB

  • Recommended: 2.048 GB or more

  • Maximum: Operating system maximum

1This edition of SQL Server can be installed to the Windows on Windows (WOW64) 32-bit subsystem of a 64-bit server. WOW64 is supported only for stand-alone instances of SQL Server. WOW64 is not supported for SQL Server failover cluster installations.

2Supported only on SQL Server SP1 or higher.

SQL Server 2008 Standard (32-bit)

The following table shows the system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Standard (32-bit):

Component

Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Pentium III-compatible processor or faster

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.0 GHz

  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows XP Professional SP2

Windows XP SP2 Tablet

Windows XP x64 Professional1

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2002

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2004

Windows XP Media Center 2005

Windows XP Professional Reduced Media

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server R2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server R2 Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Enterprise

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Datacenter

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Datacenter1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Ultimate

Windows Vista Enterprise

Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista Ultimate x641

Windows Vista Enterprise x641

Windows Vista Business x641

Windows Server 2008 Web

Windows Server 2008 Standard Server

Windows Server 2008 Standard Server without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Datacenter

Windows Server 2008 x64 Datacenter without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Windows Small Business Server 20082

Windows Server 2008 for Windows Essential Server Solutions2

Windows Server 2008 without Hyper-V for Windows Essential Server Solutions2 

Windows 7 Ultimate3

Windows 7 Enterprise3

Windows 7 Professional3

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Ultimate1,3

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Enterprise1,3

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Professional1,3

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Web1,3

Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation Server1,3

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Standard1,3

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1,3

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Datacenter1,3

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum: 512 MB

  • Recommended: 2.048 GB or more

  • Maximum: Operating system maximum

1This edition of SQL Server can be installed to the Windows on Windows (WOW64) 32-bit subsystem of a 64-bit server. WOW64 is supported only for stand-alone instances of SQL Server. WOW64 is not supported for SQL Server failover cluster installations.

2Supported Operating Systems for SQL Server Standard for Small Business

3Supported only on SQL Server SP1 or higher.

SQL Server 2008 Developer (64-bit) IA64

The following table shows system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Developer (64-bit) IA64. Note that this edition of SQL Server 2008 is not available in the following localized versions: Italian, Spanish, Brazilian (Portuguese), or Russian.

Component

Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Minimum: Itanium processor or faster

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit Itanium Datacenter1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit Itanium Enterprise1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit Itanium Edition1

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit Itanium Edition1,2

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum: 512 MB

  • Recommended: 2.048 GB or more

  • Maximum: Operating system maximum

1Management Tools are supported in WOW64, a feature of 64-bit editions of Microsoft Windows that enables 32-bit applications to execute natively in 32-bit mode. Applications function in 32-bit mode even though the underlying operating system is running on the 64-bit operating system. WOW64 is supported only for stand-alone instances of SQL Server. WOW64 is not supported for SQL Server failover cluster installations.

2Supported only on SQL Server SP1 or higher.

Note Note

SQL Server 2008 is not supported on Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Server Core installations.

SQL Server 2008 Developer (64-bit) x64

The following table shows system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Developer (64-bit) x64:

Component

Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Minimum: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.4 GHz

  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows XP x64 Professional

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Datacenter1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Ultimate x64

Windows Vista Home Premium x64

Windows Vista Home Basic x64

Windows Vista Enterprise x64

Windows Vista Business x64

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard, Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Datacenter, Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Datacenter without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise, Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Web1

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Web1,2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Home Basic1,2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Home Premium1,2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Enterprise1,2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Ultimate1,2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Professional1,2

Windows 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Web1,2

Windows 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Standard1,2

Windows 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1,2

Windows 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Datacenter1,2

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum:512 MB

  • Recommended: 2.048 GB or more

  • Maximum: Operating system maximum

1Management Tools are supported in WOW64, a feature of 64-bit editions of Microsoft Windows that enables 32-bit applications to execute natively in 32-bit mode. Applications function in 32-bit mode even though the underlying operating system is running on the 64-bit operating system. WOW64 is supported only for stand-alone instances of SQL Server. WOW64 is not supported for SQL Server failover cluster installations.

2Supported only on SQL Server SP1 or higher.

Note Note

SQL Server 2008 is not supported on Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Server Core installations.

SQL Server 2008 Workgroup (64-bit) x64

The following table shows system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Workgroup (64-bit) x64:

Component

Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Minimum: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.4 GHz

  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows XP x64 Professional

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Datacenter1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Ultimate x64

Windows Vista Home Premium x64

Windows Vista Home Basic x64

Windows Vista Enterprise x64

Windows Vista Business x64

Windows Server 2008 x64 Web1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard, Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Datacenter, Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Datacenter without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise, Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Ultimate2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Enterprise2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Professional2

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Web1,2

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Foundation Server1,2

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Standard1,2

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1,2

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Datacenter1,2

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum:512 MB

  • Recommended: 2.048 GB or more

  • Maximum: 4 GB

1Management Tools are supported in WOW64, a feature of 64-bit editions of Microsoft Windows that enables 32-bit applications to execute natively in 32-bit mode. Applications function in 32-bit mode even though the underlying operating system is running on the 64-bit operating system.

2Supported only on SQL Server SP1 or higher.

Note Note

SQL Server 2008 is not supported on Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Server Core installations.

SQL Server 2008 Web (64-bit) x64

The following table shows system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Web (64-bit) x64:

Component

Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Minimum: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.4 GHz

  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows XP x64 Professional

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Datacenter1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Ultimate x64

Windows Vista Enterprise x64

Windows Vista Business x64

Windows Server 2008 x64 Web

Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard, Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Datacenter, Windows Server 2008 x64 Datacenter without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise, Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Web1,2

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Standard1,2

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1,2

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Datacenter1,2

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum:512 MB

  • Recommended: 2.048 GB or more

  • Maximum: Operating system maximum for the Database Engine, 4 GB for Reporting Services

1Management Tools are supported in WOW64, a feature of 64-bit editions of Microsoft Windows that enables 32-bit applications to execute natively in 32-bit mode. Applications function in 32-bit mode even though the underlying operating system is running on the 64-bit operating system.

2Supported only on SQL Server SP1 or higher.

Note Note

SQL Server 2008 is not supported on Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Server Core installations.

SQL Server 2008 Express with Tools(64-bit) x64

The following table shows the system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Express with Tools (64-bit) x64.

Component

Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Minimum: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.4 GHz

  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows Server 2003 x64

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Datacenter1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Ultimate x64

Windows Vista Home Premium x64

Windows Vista Home Basic x64

Windows Vista Enterprise x64

Windows Vista Business x64

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Web1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Datacenter

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Datacenter without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Ultimate2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Home Basic2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Home Premium2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Enterprise2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Professional2

Windows 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Web1,2

Windows 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Foundation Server1,2

Windows 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Standard1,2

Windows 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1,2

Windows 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Datacenter1,2

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum:512 MB

  • Recommended: 1 GB

  • Maximum: 1 GB for the

1 Management Tools are supported in WOW64, a feature of 64-bit editions of Windows that enables 32-bit applications to execute natively in 32-bit mode. Applications function in 32-bit mode even though the underlying operating system is running on the 64-bit operating system.

2Supported only on SQL Server SP1 or higher.

SQL Server 2008 Express with Advanced Services (64-bit) x64

The following table shows system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Express with Advanced Services (64-bit) x64:

Component

Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Minimum: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.4 GHz

  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows Server 2003 x64

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Datacenter1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Ultimate x64

Windows Vista Home Premium x64

Windows Vista Home Basic x64

Windows Vista Enterprise x64

Windows Vista Business x64

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Web1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Datacenter

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Datacenter without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Ultimate2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Home Basic2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Home Premium2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Enterprise2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Professional2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Web1,2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Foundation1,2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Standard1,2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Enterprise1,2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Datacenter1,2

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum:512 MB

  • Recommended: 1 GB

  • Maximum: 1 GB for the Database Engine, 4 GB for Reporting Services

1Management Tools are supported in WOW64, a feature of 64-bit editions of Windows that enables 32-bit applications to execute natively in 32-bit mode. Applications function in 32-bit mode even though the underlying operating system is running on the 64-bit operating system.

2Supported only on SQL Server SP1 or higher.

SQL Server Developer (32-bit)

The following table shows the system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Developer (32-bit):

Component

Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Pentium III-compatible processor or faster

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.0 GHz

  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows XP Home Edition SP2

Windows XP Professional SP2

Windows XP Tablet SP2

Windows XP Professional x64 SP21

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2002

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2004

Windows XP Media Center 2005

Windows XP Professional Reduced Media

Windows XP Home Edition Reduced Media

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server R2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server R2 Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Enterprise

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Datacenter

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Datacenter1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Ultimate

Windows Vista Home Premium

Windows Vista Home Basic

Windows Vista Starter Edition

Windows Vista Enterprise

Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit x641

Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit x641

Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit x641

Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit x641

Windows Vista Business 64-bit x641

Windows Server 2008 Web

Windows Server 2008 Standard

Windows Server 2008 Standard without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V

Windows 7 Ultimate2

Windows 7 Home Basic2

Windows 7 Home Premium2

Windows 7 Enterprise2

Windows 7 Professional2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Ultimate1,2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Home Basic1,2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Home Premium1,2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Enterprise1,2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Professional1,2

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Web1,2

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Standard1,2

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1,2

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Datacenter1,2

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum: 512 MB

  • Recommended: 2.048 GB or more

  • Maximum: Operating system maximum

1This edition of SQL Server 2008 can be installed to the Windows on Windows (WOW64) 32-bit subsystem of a 64-bit server. WOW64 is supported only for stand-alone instances of SQL Server. WOW64 is not supported for SQL Server failover cluster installations.

2Supported only on SQL Server SP1 or higher.

Note Note

SQL Server 2008 is not supported on Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Server Core installations.

SQL Server Workgroup (32-bit)

The following table shows the system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Workgroup (32-bit):

Component

Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Pentium III-compatible processor or faster

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.0 GHz

  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows XP Professional SP2

Windows XP SP2 Tablet

Windows XP Professional 64-bit x641

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2002

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2004

Windows XP Media Center 2005

Windows XP Professional Reduced Media

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server R2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server R2 Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Enterprise

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Datacenter

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Premium

Windows Server 2003 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 64-bit x64 Datacenter1

Windows Server 2003 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Vista Ultimate

Windows Vista Enterprise

Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista 64-bit x64 Ultimate1

Windows Vista 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista 64-bit x64 Business1

Windows Server 2008 2008 Web

Windows Server 2008 Standard

Windows Server 2008 Standard without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Datacenter

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Datacenter without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Windows 7 Ultimate2

Windows 7 Enterprise2

Windows 7 Professional2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Ultimate1,2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Enterprise1,2

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Professional1,2

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Web1,2

Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation Server1,2

Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard1,2

Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise1,2

Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter1,2

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum: 512 MB

  • Recommended: 2.048 GB or more

  • Maximum: Operating system maximum for the Database Engine, 4 GB for Reporting Services

1This edition of SQL Server 2008 can be installed to the Windows on Windows (WOW64) 32-bit subsystem of a 64-bit server.

2Supported only on SQL Server SP1 or higher.

Note Note

SQL Server 2008 is not supported on Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Server Core installations.

SQL Server Web (32-bit)

The following table shows the system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Web (32-bit):

Component

Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Pentium III-compatible processor or faster

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.0 GHz

  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows XP Professional SP2

Windows XP SP2 Tablet

Windows XP Professional XP x641

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2002

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2004

Windows XP Media Center 2005

Windows XP Professional Reduced Media

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server R2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server R2 Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Enterprise

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Datacenter

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Datacenter1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Ultimate

Windows Vista Enterprise

Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista Ultimate x641

Windows Vista Enterprise x641

Windows Vista Business x641

Windows Server 2008 Web

Windows Server 2008 Standard Server

Windows Server 2008 Standard Server without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Datacenter

Windows Server 2008 x64 Datacenter without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Web1,2

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Standard1,2

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1,2

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Datacenter1,2

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum: 512 MB

  • Recommended: 2.048 GB or more

  • Maximum: Operating system maximum for the Database Engine, 4 GB for Reporting Services

1This edition of SQL Server 2008 can be installed to the Windows on Windows (WOW64) 32-bit subsystem of a 64-bit server.

2Supported only on SQL Server SP1 or higher.

Note Note

SQL Server 2008 is not supported on Windows Server 2008 Windows Server 2008 R2 Server Core installations.

SQL Server Express (32-bit), Express with Tools, and Express with Advanced Services (32-bit)

The following table shows the system requirements for SQL Server Express (32-bit),SQL Server Express with Tools, and SQL Server Express with Advanced Services (32-bit):

Component

Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Pentium III-compatible processor or faster

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.0 GHz

  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows XP SP2 Home

Windows XP SP2 Professional

Windows XP SP2 Tablet

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2002

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2004

Windows XP Media Center 2005

Windows Server 2003 Reduced Media

Windows XP Home Edition Reduced Media

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server R2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server R2 Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 2003 SP2 Enterprise

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Datacenter

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Web Edition

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Datacenter1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Ultimate

Windows Vista Home Premium

Windows Vista Home Basic

Windows Vista Enterprise

Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit x643

Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit x643

Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit x643

Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit x643

Windows Vista Business 64-bit x643

Windows Server 2008 Standard Server

Windows Server 2008 Standard Server without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Web Edition

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Web Edition1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Datacenter

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Datacenter without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Windows XP Embedded SP2 feature pack 20072

Windows Embedded for Point of Service SP22

Windows 7 Ultimate4

Windows 7 Home Basic4

Windows 7 Home Premium4

Windows 7 Enterprise4

Windows 7 Professional4

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Ultimate1,4

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Home Basic1,4

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Home Premium1,4

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Enterprise1,4

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Professional1,4

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Web1,4

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Foundation1,4

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Standard1,4

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1,4

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Datacenter1,4

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum: 256 MB for SQL Server Express

  • Minimum: 512 MB for SQL Server Express with Tools, and SQL Server Express with Advanced Services

  • Recommended: 1.024 GB

  • Maximum: 1 GB for the Database Engine that installs with SQL Server Express, SQL Server Express with Tools, and SQL Server Express with Advanced Services, 4 GB for Reporting Services that installs with SQL Server Express with Advanced Services

1This edition of SQL Server 2008 can be installed to the Windows on Windows (WOW64) 32-bit subsystem of a 64-bit server.

2Supports SQL Server 2008 Express, not SQL Server 2008 Express with Tools and SQL Server 2008 Express with Advanced Services.

3with Tools and with Advanced Services can be installed to the Windows on Windows (WOW64) 32-bit subsystem of a 64-bit server with this operating system.

4Supported only on SQL Server SP1 or higher for SQL Server 2008 Express with Tools and SQL Server 2008 Express with Advanced Services.

Note Note

SQL Server 2008 support on Windows Server 2003 R2 is the same as support on Windows Server 2003 SP2.
Note Note

SQL Server 2008 is not supported on Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Server Core installations.

SQL Server 2008 Express x64 (64-bit)

The following table shows system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Express x64 (64-bit):

Component

Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Minimum: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.4 GHz

  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows Server 2003 x64

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Datacenter

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Ultimate x64

Windows Vista Home Premium x64

Windows Vista Home Basic x64

Windows Vista Enterprise x64

Windows Vista Business x64

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Web1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Datacenter

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Datacenter without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Ultimate

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Home Basic

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Home Premium

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Enterprise

Windows 7 64-bit x64 Professional

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Web1

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Foundation Server1

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit x64 Datacenter1

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum:256 MB

  • Recommended: 1.024 GB

  • Maximum: 1 GB for the Database Engine

1Management Tools are supported in WOW64, a feature of 64-bit editions of Microsoft Windows that enables 32-bit applications to execute natively in 32-bit mode. Applications function in 32-bit mode even though the underlying operating system is running on the 64-bit operating system.

Note Note

SQL Server 2008 is not supported on Windows Server 2008 Server Core installations.

Cross-Language Support

  • The English-language version of SQL Server 2008 is supported on all localized versions of supported operating systems.

  • Localized versions of SQL Server 2008 are supported on localized operating systems that are the same language as the localized SQL Server 2008 version.

  • Localized versions of SQL Server can be upgraded to localized versions of SQL Server 2008 of the same language.

  • Localized versions of SQL Server cannot be upgraded to the English-language version of SQL Server 2008.

  • Localized versions of SQL Server cannot be upgraded to localized SQL Server 2008 versions of a different localized language.

  • Localized versions of SQL Server 2008 are also supported on English-language versions of supported operating systems by using the Windows Multilingual User Interface Pack (MUI) settings. However, you must verify certain operating system settings before you install a localized version of SQL Server 2008 on a server that is running an English-language operating system with a non-English MUI setting. You must verify that the following operating system settings match the language of SQL Server 2008 to be installed:

    • The operating system user interface setting

    • The operating system user locale setting

    • The system locale setting

    If these operating system settings do not match the language of the localized SQL Server, then you must correctly set these operating system settings before you install SQL Server 2008.

Extended System Support

SQL Server 2008 64-bit versions include support for extended systems, also known as Windows on Windows (WOW64). WOW64 is a feature of 64-bit editions of Windows that enables 32-bit applications to execute natively in 32-bit mode. Applications function in 32-bit mode even though the underlying operating system is running on the 64-bit operating system.

Hard Disk Space Requirements (32-Bit and 64-Bit)

During installation of SQL Server 2008, Windows Installer creates temporary files on the system drive. Before you run Setup to install or upgrade SQL Server, verify that you have at least 2.0 GB of available disk space on the system drive for these files. This requirement applies even if you install SQL Server components to a non-default drive.

Actual hard disk space requirements depend on your system configuration and the features that you decide to install. The following table provides disk space requirements for SQL Server 2008 components:

Feature

Disk space requirement

Database Engine and data files, Replication, and Full-Text Search

280 MB

Analysis Services and data files

90 MB

Reporting Services and Report Manager

120 MB

Integration Services

120 MB

Client Components

850 MB

SQL Server Books Online and SQL Server Compact Books Online

240 MB

Installing SQL Server on a Domain Controller

For security reasons, Microsoft recommends that you do not install SQL Server 2008 on a domain controller. SQL Server Setup will not block installation on a computer that is a domain controller, but the following limitations apply:

  • On Windows Server 2003, SQL Server services can run under a domain account or a local system account.

  • You cannot run SQL Server services on a domain controller under a local service account or a network service account.

  • After SQL Server is installed on a computer, you cannot change the computer from a domain member to a domain controller. You must uninstall SQL Server before you change the host computer to a domain controller.

  • After SQL Server is installed on a computer, you cannot change the computer from a domain controller to a domain member. You must uninstall SQL Server before you change the host computer to a domain member.

  • SQL Server failover cluster instances are not supported where cluster nodes are domain controllers.

  • SQL Server Setup cannot create security groups or provision SQL Server service accounts on a read-only domain controller. In this scenario, Setup will fail.

Supported Clients (64-Bit)

SQL Server 2008 64-bit client components can be installed on Windows Server 2003 (64-bit).

 Stay Up to Date with SQL Server Install, and Upgrade information

For the latest downloads, articles, videos and troubleshooting information from Microsoft, as well as selected solutions from the community, visit the SQL Server Setup page9

For automatic notification of these updates, subscribe to the RSS feeds available on the page.

Updated content

All the SQL Server editions were updated to include information about support for Windows 7 and Windows 2008 R2.

Added information about .NET 4.0 to the second footnote.

Added Windows 7 x64 Ultimate and Windows 7 x64 Professional support to SQL Server Developer x64 edition.
Links Table
1http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=51646
2http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms144256(v=sql.100).aspx
3http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=51069
4http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms144275(v=sql.100).aspx
5http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc645993(v=sql.100).aspx
6http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143753(v=sql.100).aspx
7http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=120290
8http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=151676
9http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=199249
10http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb500442(v=sql.100).aspx
11http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms144228(v=sql.100).aspx
12http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb500433(v=sql.100).aspx
Community Content Add
Annotations FAQ
Hardware Sizing Microsoft SQL Server
Hello,

If you would like to know about resources for hardware sizing Microsoft SQL Server, please see the following link;

http://www.sqlcoffee.com/Tips0012.htm

Regards,

Alberto Morillo
SQLCoffee.com
History
Sensei's comment
In some of the above, recommended RAM is shown as "2.048 GB or more" which is correct. Note that 2.048 is using the "." decimal separator. For some EMEA countries, this would be 2,048gb

This should probably be shown as "2 GB" to avoid this level of confusion

History
Other requirements for installing SQL Server 2008
Hello,

The following rights should be granted to the account installing SQL Server prior running setup program: Backup files and directories, Debug Programs, and Manage auditing and security log.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=2000257

Do not try to install SQL Server on a encrypted folder or drive because setup may fail. This apply to Bit Locker also.

http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/sqlsetupandupgrade/thread/fd5a9a22-f945-4fe2-841d-9b90a225f334

Hope this helps.
Regards,

Alberto Morillo
SQLCoffee.com
History
SBS 2008 ships with an "unknown" version of SQL 2008
After openning my SBS 2008 Premium Edition package I noticed it ships with several discs of SQL. One disc is titled "SQL 2008 x64 for Small Business". What version is this? I am assuming it is the standard version since the other disc is titled "SQL 2005 Standard Edition x32 bit" also in the box.

Either way, on my SBS Server, the SQL 2008 SQL is not installing. I only have one server for my business so I am confused why the Technet article states that "SQL 2008 will not install on a Domain Controller". Is that true with SBS 2008? Do I really need to purchase another computer now if I want a full install of SQL? I see that SQL Express is loaded by default.

Thank you,

RetiredScriptingGuy
Seattle, WA
History
WOW64 is not supported for SQL Server failover cluster installations??
I'm confused by this remark that appears several times in the footnotes ("WOW64 is supported only for stand-alone instances of SQL Server. WOW64 is not supported for SQL Server failover cluster installations").   One could read this statement to mean that after I create a fail-over cluster on my 64-bit Server, that WOW64 ceases to function for other applications.

Clearly, that's not the case...   perhaps the point you were trying to make by the comment was that you can not create an SQL fail-over cluster using the 32-bit version of SQL Sever on a 64-bit version of windows.

I think its just a matter of wording... instead of "WOW64 is not supported for failovers", it would be more clear to say "Failover clusters are not supported in WOW64"
History
system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Developer (64-bit) x64

Are there lack of Windows 7 64-bit Professional and Windows 7 64-bit x64 Ultimate on SQL Server 2008 Developer (64-bit) x64 supported OS list ?

History
Operating System Requirement for SQL Server 2008 Enterprise Edition

Altough I recorded this as a Documentation Bug in Microsoft Connect and mentioned about this in newsgroups to some MSFT guys I see that it's still not fixed.

SQL Server 2008 Enterprise Edition can be installed on client operating systems like Windows Vista but it's not said in the Operating System Requirements list. I have tried this myself and some MS guy from Connect confirmed this change. Prior to this version of SQL Server, it was not possible to install this edition of SQL Server on client operating systems so people do not aware of this change and as the documentation is wrong here, it does not help to notify this change to the community at all.


[Tai Yee - MSFT] Thank you for your feedback on this documentation topic. I have submitted it to the team that writes this documentation set. FYI, the best way to submit feedback is not the Community Content section, but to use the Send Feedback controls that are available. For more information, please see my blog post: http://blogs.msdn.com/sqlserverue/archive/2007/09/21/please-give-feedback-on-documentation.aspx


[Tai Yee - MSFT] I now (2/2/2009) have more information on this issue: it has been confirmed that Enterprise Edition is NOT supported on client Windows operating systems such as Windows Vista. It is only supported on server operating systems such as Windows Server 2008. In previous releases of SQL Server, Setup was actually blocked on client operating systems. It is no longer blocked, but it is still not a supported configuration, which is why the client operating systems are not listed in this topic. Therefore the topic is correct as written. Thanks again for your comment.
History
Windows 2008 R2 Core requirements are needed

SQL Server can be installed on Windows 2008 R2 Core, but to do this various Features must be added to W2008 using OCSETUP.

The following Features are required for SQL Server database components:
NetFx2-ServerCore (should already be present)
NetFx3-ServerCore
ServerCore-WOW64
NetFx2-ServerCore-WOW64
NetFx3-ServerCore-WOW64
MicrosoftWindowsPowerShell
MicrosoftWindowsPowerShell-WOW64

Additional Features are definitely required for SSRS, and other SQL components may also need additional features. Please can the full list of required features be published in BOL

History
Recommended RAM memory seems a bit high
Looking at the recommended amount of RAM memory in the different tables I would hope it should be MB in most cases. Memory does not cost that much but 1.024 GB or more could add up.
History