SQL Server Express: installation, configuration

To organize the operation of any centralized system, you need a server that can process requests from the client software. Messengers, social networks, accounting and financial systems - all this has a common data processing scheme. To store and retrieve information, separate types of servers are used - SQL. They are based on the language of structured queries. It provides fast and reliable access to stored data, as well as their processing on the fly.

Microsoft SQL Server: A little description

This product is a free solution that allows you to deploy a reliable storage in a short time to store and process large amounts of information. The server can be used to create web portals, applications and other specialized software. Actually, any site on the expanses of the Web in a particular reincarnation uses a SQL server.

You can download the latest current version of the product from the official Microsoft website.

SQL Server Express Restrictions on System Resources

A little worth talking about the requirements. To start and ensure the smooth operation of SQL Server Express, you need to bring the configuration of the system to the following:

• Operating systems can be used both 32- and 64-bit from the Windows line;
• The processor clock speed should exceed 1.4 GHz;
• RAM - at least 512 MB, preferably 2 GB;
• Free space on the hard disk - 2.2 GB.

Installation: subtleties and nuances

Consider working with the platform Windows Server 2008 R2. It is assumed that SQL Server Express 2012 has already been downloaded and is present on the computer. Run the installer on behalf of the administrator. In the window that appears, select "Install a new instance of SQL Server".

Next, the text of the license agreement will be presented, with which you need to review and accept it. Then, if updates were found that are relevant at the moment, you will be prompted to install them. You can do this later, in an already installed server.

The next step is to select the components. You can leave everything as suggested by the installer. Here you also need to specify a path for placing files.

Next, the installer will check if the system is ready for installation. And there may be a situation where it finds that the .NET Framework 3.5 is missing. So, you have to interrupt and install the required software for a while.

Install the .NET Framework on your computer

This component contains a set of libraries and applications for working with network services and services. Without it, you can not run many systems and programs. And each version can contain its own set.

In Windows Server 2008, this is done through the "Start" menu, then "Administration". In the tree structure on the left, select Features, and in the main window - Add Features. The system will prompt you to tick the components that are available for installation. In this situation, the entire NET Framework package is of interest. The next step is to leave the default checkbox. The final stage will be a window with a message about the successful installation of the component.

Return to SQL Server Express 2012

The installation has stopped at the Installation Rules step. It must be renewed. "Instance Configuration" appears. Here you can specify a name, and let the remaining parameters remain as they are. Then in the "Server Configuration" it is better to leave the default values.

The item "Database engine configuration" will offer to set the authentication method. It is better to choose a mixed mode. It is worth noting that this setting can not be changed in the future.

Next, the installer will prompt you to select the "Install only" or "Install and configure" method. You can also perform the setup steps manually, so choose the first option.

In the next window, you can simply click "Next", because a checkmark is selected here, and if errors are sent to Microsoft. And finally - a window with a message about the successful installation.

Customize

After the installation is complete, you need to perform a small initial configuration of SQL Server Express.

First you need to configure access to the server. To do this, go to the "Start" menu, then "All Programs", MS SQL Server Express and Configuration Tools.

A window opens, in the left panel of which there is a tree-like structure of the elements. It is interested in the item "Protocols for SQLEXPRESS". In the right window, the nested elements are displayed. You need to select TCP / IP. Through the context menu, the default value of Disbled changes to Enabled, that is, it turns on.

Then you need to select the protocol properties. The second tab of the IP address is IPAll. It contains the values of TCP Port, which should be replaced by 1433.

Now we need to go back to the element tree. Here you need to select the top - SQL Server Services. You just need to check whether the server is running SQL Server. If not, you have to click twice on it and set the start mode of Start Mode to the "Automatic" mode. And start the server manually by clicking on the context menu Start.

Now it remains to reboot the SQL server completely.

Configure inbound messages

To do this, you need to install a new rule for the server in the Windows Firewall. You can get into these settings through the "Start" - "Administration Tools". As usual, the left panel is the element tree, the right panel is the settings. You need to find the Inbound Rules item. And in the "Actions" window - "New rule". The "Setup Wizard" opens. Here you need to select Port. Then the protocol is TCP, and the port number is 1433. In the Action step, set the Allow the connection. Next, on the Profile item, you need to specify the scope of the rule. You can set all three checkmarks.

And the last stage is setting the name. It is better to specify understandable and accessible.

After the rule is set up and saved, it's worth making sure it's working and running.

Client connection

In order to connect to the server through SQL Server Managment Studio, you need to create a rule for the firewall, in the same way as it was shown for SQL Server Express. The only difference is that the protocol will be UDP, and the port - 1434.

If you can not connect, you need to see the Connections properties in SQL Server Managment Studio. Here the item "Allow remote connection to this server" is of interest. It should be checked for inclusion. Now everything will work.

Conclusion

The article showed how to install and configure MS SQL Server Express 2012. As you can see, the procedure is not so complicated and any PC user can do it. Installing an equally popular SQL Server 2008 Express may differ slightly from the version described in the article, but the methodology and algorithm will be the same.

As a result, the server will be configured with an accessible and productive data store, and a management system for them.