Randy Walker

Excellent times ...

After presenting at the Tulsa SQL Server SIG I received the following question:

According to all the blogs if you install SSRS on a web server it still burns up another SQL server license even if you don’t install SQL.  Our production SQL server costs like $30,000 for the enterprise version because it’s on an 8 core box.  The SharePoint server where I am trying to install SSRS also has 8 cores.  For SharePoint you have to install SSRS on the web server or it will not work.  Is there a cheap version of SSRS that won’t cost 30k?

Below was my response:

Attached is a document I found detailed your licensing options.  Initially I thought you would not be able to get around buying an Enterprise license because it is the only version supporting 8 processors (http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinfo/features/compare-features.mspx).  However, it says “Processor licenses are available in Enterprise, Standard, and Workgroup Editions and offer more simplicity for certain scenarios.”  So, you should only have to purchase a workgroup license for 8 processors.

However, there are specific features of SSRS that are specific to the version licensed.  Such as the Enterprise version only supports Data Driven Subscriptions (you can have data trigger the running of a report), plus others.  I believe e-mail subscriptions are a Standard version feature, which is a must have IMHO.

The real question is going to be if you can talk to the person responsible for purchasing/licensing to figure out how to buy the standard workgroup or standard license, plus the additional licensing for the additional processors.  Don’t forget, I’m betting there isn’t 8 processors, because of the newer multi core processors.  So make sure you verify the number of hard processors.

Summary: This white paper presents general information, best practices, and tips for designing charts within Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services reports. It provides an overview of some Reporting Services features, answers common chart design and feature questions, and includes advanced examples of how to design better charts. (32 printed pages)

Click here to download the associated sample code, GetMoreChartsSamples.exe.

Click here to download the Word version of the article, MoreSSRSCharts.doc.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa964128.aspx

It's hard to believe that SQL injection is still an issue.  My friend Zain Naboulsi gave us a great overview of basic security hacks and how to defend against them at our last MSDN Express event.  I recall learning about SQL Injection issues over 12 years ago in my first job.

Here's a fairly decent article about some of the details of SQL Injection, in case you're not familiar with it's problems.

http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Security/updatedsqlinjection/2065/

If you're interested in joining Microsoft's beta program for games, you'll be interested in the following email I received.

We are gearing up for a year of great betas. To prepare for these upcoming betas we have a new survey on the beta website. Please follow this link to access the new survey: (link removed). We will be using this new survey to select participants for our betas. If you do not complete this new survey, you will not be able to participate! But don't worry, the survey is quick and painless.

Remember, we are always looking for all types of game players. Whether you play once a year or every day, whether you pre-order the latest consoles or wouldn't think of paying for a game - we want feedback from you! If you know of someone who would be interested in participating in the Microsoft Game Studios Beta program, please feel free to forward this mail or direct them to: http://connect.microsoft.com/mgsbetas.