Microsoft SQL Server Hosting

Microsoft SQL Server is Microsoft’s enterprise class database system and is used by many businesses for both their internal database systems and their websites as Microsoft SQL Server can also be used in conjunction with classic ASP and ASP.NET based websites. Microsoft Access is another database application that is produced by Microsoft, although unlike Microsoft SQL Server it isn’t as scalable because it is used more as a desktop application whereas Microsoft SQL Server is designed to be run in commercial environments. Microsoft SQL Server can be used effectively by web developers who wish to create dynamic websites using Microsoft technologies; classic ASP and ASP.NET scripts and web pages have the ability to connect to Microsoft SQL Server databases, although for the whole website to be able to function correctly you will need to host it in a Windows web hosting environment. Microsoft SQL Server is mainly a commercial database hosting system meaning that in order to use it you will have to pay for it, but as a Windows VPS server or Windows dedicated server user you can always use the Express edition of the latest version of the database system; however, if you are going to be using it for a large website then you should be aware of the limitations of using Microsoft SQL Server Express edition.

Microsoft SQL Server is one of the most scalable database systems available because of the fact that it is SQL based, allowing it to be using in most situations that require some sort of database system; although Microsoft SQL Server can be easily integrated with Windows desktop applications, it’s best use is with websites as it will allow web developers to not only create dynamic websites, but dynamic websites which a secure and reliable database backend meaning that the website itself will be able to sustain large spikes in traffic. Microsoft SQL Server databases are a common feature with most Windows shared hosting packages meaning that if you wish to host a basic classic ASP or ASP.NET database driven site then Windows shared hosting will probably be more than enough for your requirements; as a VPS server or dedicated server user you can normally purchase a license for a commercial version of Microsoft SQL Server from your web hosting provider, but if your requirements aren’t so demanding then you can probably make do with the Express edition of the latest version of Microsoft SQL Server, just as long as you are aware of the limitations.

How can I benefit from using Microsoft SQL Server?

As a Windows web developer you will find that Microsoft SQL Server will be able to offer you one central location in which you can store data that can then be accessed by any scripts or web pages that you use as part of your website; Microsoft SQL Server can also be useful for larger corporations who require a database server for their internal IT structure to function correctly. The main way in which using Microsoft SQL Server will be able to benefit you is by providing you with a scalable database system that should be able to sustain heavy loads without failing; although it will also rely on the specifications of the server that the application is installed on, Microsoft SQL Server has been proven to be a lot more scalable and reliable than Microsoft’s other popular database system, Microsoft Access. Microsoft SQL Server’s integration with classic ASP and ASP.NET based websites will also benefit you since it means that you will be able to create dynamic websites for hosting in a Windows web hosting environment; although other scripting languages such as PHP can also be used in conjunction with Microsoft SQL Server, for the best levels of performance it is recommended that you use classic ASP and ASP.NET for interaction with Microsoft SQL Server databases. Microsoft SQL Server will also be able to offer you a secure place in which you can store data that you may want to retrieve from your database using various means; unlike Microsoft Access databases which are served as files, Microsoft SQL Server databases are served through a service which makes them much harder to hack into. In summary, Microsoft SQL Server will be able to benefit you in the following ways:

  • Scalability – the main issue that people have when using Microsoft Access databases with their websites is that once their website starts to become busier, it starts to slow down because the database is the bottlekneck – Microsoft SQL Server will be able to offer you greater scalability meaning that you won’t have to worry about your website slowing down if it gets large spikes in traffic, and the thing to remember is that if you really want to be sure about the scalability of Microsoft SQL Server then you should consider a hybrid VPS server or a high end dedicated server that you can have it installed on as by doing this you will be able to make sure that Microsoft SQL Server has all the resources that it requires to function smoothly
  • Dynamic websites – Microsoft SQL Server can be used in conjunction with certain scripting languages to allow you to create dynamic websites, and although this can be done with Microsoft Access databases you will be able to do it to a much higher and secure level with Microsoft SQL Server – when creating dynamic websites you require one central location in which you can store all the database entries that will need to be accessed by the individual scripts and web pages that you create, and a Microsoft SQL Server database will be able to offer you this ability – although you could always use a Microsoft Access database, there are other features offered by Microsoft SQL Server that can benefit you such as Stored Procedures
  • Security - although you can password protect a Microsoft Access database, it is still available for download from your web space if it can be found as Microsoft Access databases are served fresh as files, whereas Microsoft SQL Server databases are served through a service which gives you an extra layer of protection – it is also a good idea to password protect your Microsoft SQL Server database anyway so that it can’t be compromised simply – as it is served through a service it also means that you can limit the IP addresses that can access the Microsoft SQL Server service remotely, and if you are going to be using your Microsoft SQL Server machine as part of a private network then you won’t even need to worry about this.

Microsoft SQL Server is one of the best database hosting solutions available, and although it may cost quite a bit if you wish to use it without limitations, there is a free version available that will fit most people’s requirements if used properly.

Are there any disadvantages to using Microsoft SQL Server?

Using Microsoft SQL Server can have its disadvantages due to the fact that it is a commercial database server system when there are many free alternatives available that will be able to do the same job; however, in most cases Microsoft SQL Server is normally a need rather than a want. The main disadvantage you will find if you wish to use Microsoft with a busy website is that you will have to pay quite a bit if you wish to use a version which is suitable for general use; although there is a free edition of Microsoft SQL Server available, this has limitations which can mean that it isn’t suitable for some users. Microsoft SQL Server can only be used on Windows web hosting servers which pushes the cost up further, meaning that it is something that only businesses can really afford; if you wish to use Microsoft SQL Server then you can only have it installed in a Windows web hosting environment, and this comes at an added cost because web hosting providers need to take into consideration the cost of the Windows operating system license. Managing a Microsoft SQL Server database isn’t something that every one can do and in some cases you may need to set aside some time for yourself so that you can learn the basic skills that are needed for managing a Microsoft SQL Server database; for example, if you wish to set your Microsoft SQL Server database up properly then you will need to be sure that you know what the different data types supported are, as well as the need for a basic knowledge of SQL. In summary, the main disadvantages of using Microsoft SQL Server include:

  • Cost - regardless of the version of Microsoft SQL Server that you choose to use, you will need to pay for it if you wish to be able to make use of an edition of the database server system that will actually be able to offer you what you require for a long time to come – although there is a free edition, or ‘Express’ edition, available of Microsoft SQL Server this edition will generally have limitations with it which means that it is only really suitable for testing purposes and if you wish to use Microsoft SQL Server in a production environment then it is recommended that you consider either the Standard or Enterprise editions of the database system
  • Windows servers – because Microsoft SQL Server is a Microsoft product, it can only be used in Windows web hosting environments which will help to push the cost of using it up even further as web hosting providers have to account for the cost of the operating system licenses that they are using on their Windows servers – however, since Microsoft SQL Server is designed to be an enterprise-class database system, it should only be used by businesses who will normally be able to justify the cost of a Windows web hosting service
  • Database management – managing a Microsoft SQL Server database isn’t as simple as managing a Microsoft Access database and there are many different factors that you will need to consider when setting up your Microsoft SQL Server database – it is a good idea for you to learn basic SQL so that you can interact with your database at a better level – when creating your MSSQL database you will find that there are several different data types for you to choose from to corespond with your databaase columns, and it is important for you to configure these correctly so that you can store data in your database properly.

The disadvantages of Microsoft SQL Server database hosting show that Microsoft SQL Server databases should only be used by businesses who require reliable database systems that can be integrated with a multitude of applications to allow both their websites and internal company IT infrastructure to function correctly without fail.

In conclusion, Microsoft SQL Server is one of the most powerful database servers available when you purchase one of the commercial editions and can be used in conjunction with either web applications developed in classic ASP or ASP.NET or with Windows desktop applications. Although Microsoft SQL Server may seem like an attractive prospect for individuals as well, for smaller website and installations you may wish to use a Microsoft Access database as in such a situation it will probably be more effective at meeting your requirements. If you find that you aren’t able to justify the cost of Microsoft SQL Server then you can always consider the MySQL database server for your requirements.