Hey everyone, I’ve got a question about setting up SQL Server 2005 on Windows Server 2008. I’m trying to make the server as lean as possible without losing functionality. I’ve heard about the Server Core option, but I’m not sure if it works with SQL Server. The Microsoft website talks about some services that work with Server Core, but doesn’t mention SQL Server specifically. Has anyone tried this setup or know for sure if it’s possible? I’d really appreciate any insights or experiences you can share. Thanks!
hey luke! thats an interesting setup ur considering. have u thought about virtualization instead? might give u more flexibility. im curious, whats driving the need for such a lean server? any specific performance goals or resource constraints? would love to hear more about ur project!
hey luke, i’ve actually tried this setup before. sql server 2005 doesn’t play nice with server core, unfortunately. it needs some components that aren’t available in the stripped-down version. maybe consider sql server 2008 r2? i think that one works better with core. good luck with ur project!
Based on my experience, SQL Server 2005 is not compatible with Windows Server 2008 Core edition. The Core installation lacks several components essential for SQL Server’s operation, such as the full .NET Framework and certain management tools. However, later versions of SQL Server, starting from 2012, have improved compatibility with Server Core. If you’re set on using a minimal server installation, I’d recommend upgrading to a more recent SQL Server version or considering alternatives like SQL Server Express for smaller deployments. Remember to thoroughly test your setup in a non-production environment before implementation.