Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend the SQL Server Community Launch event in Bangalore. It was a fantastic event where I had the chance to present on the topic of performing an effective presentation. While my presentation covered various aspects, I couldn’t help but talk about SQL Server, as it is a subject close to my heart.
During the event, I received a couple of interesting questions related to the SQL Server 2014 feature pack. Let’s take a look at these questions and provide some answers:
Question 1: Where can I get a free or economical version of SQL Server for my development server?
Answer: If you are not planning to use your server in a production environment, you can opt for the SQL Server Developer’s Edition. This edition provides all the features of SQL Server and is available at a reasonable price. You can find more information about it here.
Question 2: I already have SQL Server installed on my machine. What feature packs should I install and where can I find them?
Answer: If you already have SQL Server installed, you can enhance its functionality by installing the Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Service Pack. This service pack includes a collection of stand-alone packages that provide additional value for SQL Server. You can download it from here.
The Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Feature Pack contains a variety of components that can be installed separately based on your requirements. Some of the notable components included in the feature pack are:
- Microsoft SQL Server Backup to Windows Azure Tool
- Microsoft SQL Server Cloud Adapter
- Microsoft Kerberos Configuration Manager for Microsoft SQL Server
- Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Semantic Language Statistics
- Microsoft SQL Server Data-Tier Application Framework
- Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Transact-SQL Language Service
- Microsoft Windows PowerShell Extensions for Microsoft SQL Server 2014
- Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Shared Management Objects
- Microsoft Command Line Utilities 11 for Microsoft SQL Server
- Microsoft ODBC Driver 11 for Microsoft SQL Server – Windows
- Microsoft JDBC Driver 4.0 for Microsoft SQL Server
- Microsoft Drivers 3.0 for PHP for Microsoft SQL Server
- Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Transact-SQL ScriptDom
- Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Transact-SQL Compiler Service
- Microsoft System CLR Types for Microsoft SQL Server 2014
- Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Remote Blob Store
- SQL Server Remote Blob Store blogs
- Microsoft SQL Server Service Broker External Activator for Microsoft SQL Server 2014
- Microsoft OData Source for Microsoft SQL Server 2014
- Microsoft Balanced Data Distributor for Microsoft SQL Server 2014
- Microsoft Change Data Capture Designer and Service for Oracle by Attunity for Microsoft SQL Server 2014
- Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Master Data Service Add-in for Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft SQL Server StreamInsight
- Microsoft Connector for SAP BW for Microsoft SQL Server 2014
- Microsoft SQL Server Migration Assistant
- Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Upgrade Advisor
- Microsoft OLEDB Provider for DB2 v5.0 for Microsoft SQL Server 2014
- Microsoft SQL Server 2014 PowerPivot for Microsoft SharePoint 2013
- Microsoft SQL Server 2014 ADOMD.NET
- Microsoft Analysis Services OLE DB Provider for Microsoft SQL Server 2014
- Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Analysis Management Objects
- Microsoft SQL Server Report Builder for Microsoft SQL Server 2014
- Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Reporting Services Add-in for Microsoft SharePoint
These components offer additional functionality and tools that can greatly enhance your SQL Server experience.
So, whether you are looking for a free or economical version of SQL Server for your development server or want to explore the various feature packs available, Microsoft provides a range of options to suit your needs. Take advantage of these resources to make the most out of your SQL Server environment.