SQL Server 2008 Web Edition

Question

Can somebody give me some info on SQL Server 2008 Web Edition? Is this a new edition with 2008? What kind of limitations does it have? Is anybody using it successfully? What does it provide that the Express Edition won't?

Answer 1

SQL Server 2008 Web Edition is a great SKU. It was specifically designed for web applications without the limitations of Express Edition. It is also WAY cheaper than Standard Edition.

Web Edition is only available through SPLA licensing, but genally costs about $25/month compared to $250/month for Standard Edition.

Web Edition does not have a database size limit, where Express Edition has a 4GB database size limit. Express Edition also only uses up to 1GB of RAM while Web Edition can use whatever the OS limit is.

While Web Edition does have to be licensed per CPU, having the reduced costs allows you to easily go to a 2 or 4 CPU box without huge costs involved. Express Edition will only utilize a single CPU if installed on multi-cpu boxes.

For a fully feature break-down check out http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2008/en/us/editions-compare.aspx -- at the web hosting firm I work for we have found that about 90% of our non-HA customers that were using\licensing Standard Edition are able to move to Web Edition.

Microsoft has done good to the web community with this new SKU.

Update: With 2008 R2 Microsoft has increased the database size limit to 10GB.

Answer 2

From Microsoft's Web site:

CPUs

• Web: 4 (licensed per CPU, though)
• Express: 1

Memory

• Web: OS Max
• Express: 1GB

DB Size

• Web: Unlimited
• Express: 4GB