Server Editions

For the most part, SQL Server’s seven editions are packaged in a “Russian doll” fashion, with each higher edition’s features being a superset of the lower edition. The two low-end editions are offered at no charge and the others are licensed for a fee. (See the sidebar “Pricing for SQL Server 2008 Editions“.)

Many Microsoft server-based products—including BizTalk, Commerce Server, Dynamics CRM, Dynamics NAV, Dynamics SL, Forefront Client Security, Identity Lifecycle Manager, System Center Configuration Manager, and System Center Operations Manager—require a higher edition of SQL Server (almost always Standard or Enterprise Editions) as a prerequisite. Dynamics AX requires Standard or Enterprise Edition when SQL Server is used (it also supports Oracle databases). Other Microsoft server products—including Communications Server, Dynamics GP, Rights Management Services (included with Windows Server), SharePoint Server, System Center Essentials, and Virtual Machine Manager—can use the free SQL Server Express Edition, but only for a very basic installation. Typically, anything more than a very modest product deployment requires the throughput, high availability, or other features exclusive to higher editions of SQL Server.