MSSQL on IIS

Not trying to give a wise-ass answer, but you don't. IIS is a Web Server, and MSSQL is a data base server. Both servers can be installed on the same windows machine, but they're separate entities. You can install more than one instance of MSSQL 2000 on a given machine and they can all run at the same time as different services. I run two instances - one for development DB's and a staging instance that replicates my production db's structures for troubleshooting offline.

For developing with MSSQL 2000, you can download MSDE (Microsoft Desktop Edition - of MSSQL) from MS - it's MSSQL throttled for 5 concurrent users but has full functionality. "Concurrent" doesn't quite mean what you'd think it might. For most apps, MSDE will outperform MS Access.
You don't get Enterprise Manager (db admin app) with MSDE. Other MSSQL admin apps are available - some for free - but almost all "how to" tutorials reference Enterprise Manager. First you'll need to figure out what they're talking about for an app you don't have, then convert that to your db utility app.

Another alternative is to get the MSSQL 2000 Developer Kit which includes MSDE, Enterprise Manager, and the complete set on manuals on CD. Goes for $30-$50 US and well worth the cash.

A third alternative is to download the 30 day free trial for MSSQL 2000. It's the full, unthrottled version and comes with Enterprise Manager. At the end of the 30 Days, MSSQL is disabled, but Enterprise Manager(A separate app) is not. You can then uninstall just MSSQL and install MSDE.

Finally, there's the free version of MS SQL 2005. While a freebie, it also has a reduced feature/capability set from the version your web host will run. Unlike MSDE which is throttled but full featured MSSQL 2K, MSSQL 2005 Lite actually does less than it's bigger brothers.

The cut down free versions, MSDE and the newer SQL 2005 Express version are both fine for running Web Wiz Forums on busy sites.

This site currently runs on one 85Mb database on MSDE for the entire site, including this forum without any performance issues.

I've even throttled it further by restricting the memory size for the database to 95Mb without any performance issues.


Edited by -boRg- - 27 December 2005 at 1:24pm