SQL Server Editions 2008/R2/2012

SQL Server Editions 2008/R2/2012
Here are the different editions available for SQL2012:

1.     SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition

SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition is limited to 16 cores and 64GB of RAM. It provides the core relational database engine and basic business intelligence (BI) capabilities.

It doesn't include support for the advanced availability features or the more powerful BI features such as PowerPivot, Power View, and Master Data Services. The Standard Edition does include support for two-node AlwaysOn Failover Clusters, and it's licensed either per core or per server.

2.     SQL Server 2012 Business Edition

SQL Server 2012 Business Intelligence Edition is a new member of the SQL Server family. Like the Standard edition, the Business Intelligence edition is limited to 16 cores for the database engine and 64GB of RAM. However, it can use the maximum number of cores supported by the OS for Analysis Services and Reporting Services.

The Business Intelligence edition includes all of the features in the Standard edition and support for advanced BI features such as Power View and PowerPivot, but it lacks support for the advanced availability features like AlwaysOn Availability Groups and other online operations. The Business Intelligence edition supports two-node AlwaysOn Failover Clusters, and it's licensed per server.

3.     SQL Server 2012 Enterprise Edition

SQL Server 2012 Enterprise Edition is the high end of the SQL Server 2012 product lineup. It supports the maximum number of cores and RAM in the host OS and provides the complete SQL Server feature set, including support for all of the advanced availability and BI features.

The Enterprise edition supports up to 16-node AlwaysOn Failover Clusters as well as AlwaysOn Availability Groups, online operations, PowerPivot, Power View, Master Data Services, advanced auditing, transparent data encryption, the ColumnStore index, and more. The Enterprise edition is licensed per core.

4.     SQL Server 2012 Express Editions and LocalDB

SQL Server 2012 will continue to offer three versions of the free SQL Server Express Edition: Express (Database Only), Express with Tools, and Express with Advanced Services. Microsoft will also continue to offer a download of SQL Server Management Studio Express.

The Express editions are limited to support for one CPU and 1GB of RAM. Databases are limited to 10GB per database. In addition, a new option called LocalDB will also be available.

LocalDB isn't the old Compact Edition: It uses the same sqlservr.exe engine as the other editions of SQL Server and is designed for developers. It requires no configuration and runs as a user process, not as a service.

For more information about LocalDB, check out the SQL Server Express Web Log at MSDN: "Introducing LocalDB, an improved SQL Express."

5.     SQL Server 2012 Web and Developer Editions

SQL Server 2012 Web Edition and SQL Server 2012 Developer Edition will continue to be part of the SQL Server 2012 family. The Developer edition provides the same feature set as the Enterprise edition. However, it's licensed per developer and can't be used for production work. The Web edition is licensed only to hosting companies with a Services Provider License Agreement (SLPA).

Here are the different editions available for SQL Server 2008.

1. Enterprise Edition
   Data management and business intelligence platform providing enterprise class scalability, high availability, and security for running business-critical applications
   
   
2. Standard Edition
   Data management and business intelligence platform providing ease of use and manageability for running departmental applications
3. Workgroup Edition
   Data management and reporting platform providing secure, remote synchronization, and management capabilities for running branch applications
   
   
4. Developer EditionMay be installed and used by one user to design, develop, test, and demonstrate your programs on as many systems as needed
   
   
5. Web EditionA low-TCO, scalable, and manageable database option for web hosters and end customers looking to deploy publicly facing web applications and services
   
   
6. Express Edition
   A free edition of SQL Server ideal for learning and building desktop and small server applications and for redistribution by ISVs
   
   
7. Compact Edition
   A free, SQL Server embedded database ideal for building stand-alone and occasionally connected applications for mobile devices, desktops, and web clients
   
   
8. Evaluation EditionThis edition may be installed for demonstration and evaluation purposes until an expiration period of 180 days.

Here are the different editions available for SQL2008 R2

1. SQL Server 2008 R2 Parallel Computing Edition

One huge change is the Parallel Computing edition (formerly code-named Madison), essentially the SQL Server equivalent to Windows Server High Performance Computing (HPC) Edition. It will utilize a Massively Parallel Processing (MPP) scale-out architecture to support data warehousing ranging from 10TB to 1+ PB. The Parallel Computing Edition is priced at $57,489 per processor.

2. SQL Server 2008 R2 Datacenter Edition

The biggest change is undoubtedly the new SQL Server 2008 R2 Datacenter Edition. This edition parallels Windows Server Datacenter Edition, and with support from up to 256 logical processors, it's designed to address the highest levels of scalability. The Datacenter edition has no memory limitation and offers support for more than 25 instances. It also will be priced at $57,489 per processor.

3. SQL Server 2008 R2 Enterprise Edition and Developer Edition

The Enterprise edition is the one that’s targeted toward most businesses. With the advent of the new Datacenter edition, the Enterprise edition will be limited to support for 64 logical processors and 25 instances, which really isn’t much of a change. It will be priced at $28,749 per processor or $13,969 per server with 25 CALs. The Developer edition shares the same feature set and is licensed at $50 per developer.

4. SQL Server 2008 R2 Standard Edition
Designed for small and medium businesses, the Standard edition supports up to 4 CPUs and 2TB of RAM, with unlimited database size. It includes support for all BI subsystems including Analysis Services, Integration Services, and Reporting Services, but lacks many of the enterprise-oriented features from the Enterprise edition. It will be priced at $7,499 per processor or $1,849 per server with five CALs.

5. SQL Server 2008 R2 Web Edition

This edition is designed to be run by web hosting providers. It provides support for up to 4 CPUs, 2TB of RAM, and unlimited database size. In addition to its relational database engine, SQL Server 2008 R2 Web Edition supports Reporting Services. It's priced at $15 per processor per month.

6.     SQL Server 2008 R2 Workgroup Edition

Workgroup edition is designed to provide basic relational database services for departments and branch offices. It supports a maximum of 2 CPUs, 4GB of RAM, and unlimited database size. Its only BI feature is Reporting Services. It's priced at $3,899 or $739 per server including five CALs.

7. SQL Server 2008 R2 Express Edition

Targeted toward developers and ISVs, SQL Server Express Edition comes in three versions. SQL Server 2008 R2 Express provides relational database services; SQL Server 2008 R2 Express with Tools Edition adds SSMS; and SQL Server 2008 R2 Express with Advanced Services adds SSMS and a local instance of Reporting Services. All of the SQL Server 2008 R2 Express editions will continue to be free downloads