Hardware and Software Requirements for Installing SQL Server 2008

SQL Server Setup

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The following sections list the minimum hardware and software requirements to install and run SQL Server 2008.

For both 32-bit and 64-bit editions of SQL Server 2008, the following apply:

  • SQL Server 2008 Enterprise is available for evaluation during a 180-day trial period. For more information, see the SQL Server: How to Buy Web site.
  • Microsoft recommends that you run SQL Server 2008 on computers with the NTFS file format. For upgrades to SQL Server 2008, FAT32 file systems will not be blocked.
  • SQL Server Setup will block installations on read-only or compressed drives.
  • For information about using SQL Server 2008 tools to prepare for an upgrade to SQL Server 2008, see Using Upgrade Advisor to Prepare for Upgrades.
  • SQL Server does not install the .NET Framework 3.5 software development kit (SDK). However, the SDK contains tools that are useful when you use the .NET Framework for SQL Server development. You can download the .NET Framework SDK from the .NET Framework Web site.
  • Requirements to restart computers during SQL Server Setup: Installation of the .NET Framework requires a restart of the operating system. If Windows Installer installation also requires a restart, Setup will wait until the .NET Framework and Windows Installer components have installed before restarting.
  • For more information about features of SQL Server 2008, see the following:

Hardware and Software Requirements

The following requirements apply to all SQL Server 2008 installations:

Component Requirement

Framework2

SQL Server Setup installs the following software components required by the product:

  • .NET Framework 3.51
  • SQL Server Native Client
  • SQL Server Setup support files

Software2

SQL Server Setup requires Microsoft Windows Installer 4.5 or a later version, and Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) 2.8 SP1 or a later version. You can download MDAC 2.8 SP1 from the MDAC downloads Web site.

After installing required components, SQL Server Setup will verify that the computer where SQL Server 2008 will be installed also meets all the other requirements for a successful installation. For more information, see Check Parameters for the System Configuration Checker.

Network Software

Network software requirements for the 64-bit versions of SQL Server 2008 are the same as the requirements for the 32-bit versions.

Supported operating systems have built-in network software. Stand-alone named and default instances support the following network protocols:

  • Shared memory
  • Named Pipes
  • TCP/IP
  • VIA

Note   Shared memory and VIA are not supported on failover clusters.

Virtualization

SQL Server 2008 is supported in virtual machine environments running on the Hyper-V role in Windows Server 2008 Standard, Enterprise and Data Center editions. The virtual machine must run an operating system supported for the specific SQL Server 2008 edition listed later in this topic.

In addition to resources required by the parent partition, each virtual machine (child partition) must be provided with sufficient processor resources, memory, and disk resources for its SQL Server 2008 instance. Requirements are listed later in this topic.3

Within the Hyper-V role on Windows Server 2008, a maximum of four virtual processors can be allocated to virtual machines running Windows Server 2008 32-bit or 64-bit editions. A maximum of 2 virtual processors can be allocated to virtual computers that are running Windows Server 2003 32-bit editions. For virtual computer that host other operating systems, a maximum of one virtual processor can be allocated to virtual computers.

Notes:

  • It is recommended that SQL Server 2008 be shut down before shutting down or the virtual machine.
  • Guest failover clustering (configuring failover clustering in SQL Server 2008) is not supported in a Hyper-V environment.
  • For more information about the Hyper-V role in Windows Server 2008, see the Windows Server 2008 Web site.

Internet Software

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 SP1 or a later version is required for all installations of SQL Server 2008. Internet Explorer 6 SP1 or a later version is required for Microsoft Management Console (MMC), SQL Server Management Studio, Business Intelligence Development Studio, the Report Designer component of Reporting Services, and HTML Help.

Hard Disk

Disk space requirements will vary with the SQL Server 2008 components you install. For more information, see Hard disk space requirements later in this topic.

Drive

A CD or DVD drive, as appropriate, is required for installation from disc.

Display

SQL Server 2008 graphical tools require VGA or higher resolution: at least 1,024x768 pixel resolution.

Other Devices

Pointing device: A Microsoft mouse or compatible pointing device is required.

1The following .NET Framework versions are required:

  • SQL Server 2008 on Windows Server 2003 (64-bit) IA64 — .NET Framework 2.0 SP1
  • All other editions of SQL Server 2008 — .NET Framework 3.5

Installation of .NET Framework requires a restart of the operating system. If Windows Installer installation also requires a restart, Setup will wait until .NET Framework and Windows Installer components have installed before restarting.

2 SQL Server Setup will not install the following required components for SQL Server Express and SQL Server Express with Advanced Services. You must install these components manually before you run SQL Server Setup:

  • SQL Server Express — ..NET Framework 2.0 SP2 and Windows installer 4.5. On Windows Vista, use .NET Framework 3.5 SP1.
  • SQL Server Express with Advanced Services — .NET Framework 3.5 SP1, Windows Installer 4.5, and Windows PowerShell 1.0.

3As with all virtualization technologies, SQL Server 2008 running in a Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V virtual computer will be slower than on a physical computer with the same physical resources.

Processor, Memory, and Operating System Requirements

Server Editions (64-bit and 32-bit)

SQL Server 2008 Enterprise (64-bit) IA64

The following table shows system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Enterprise (64-bit) IA64. Note that this edition of SQL Server 2008 is not available in the following localized versions: Italian, Spanish, Brazilian (Portuguese), or Russian.

Component Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Itanium processor or faster

Processor speed:

  • Recommended: 1.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows Server 2008 64-bit Itanium1,2

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit Itanium Data Center1,2

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit Itanium Enterprise1

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum: 512 MB
  • Recommended: 2.048 GB or more
  • Maximum: Operating system maximum

1Management Tools are supported in WOW64, a feature of 64-bit editions of Windows that enables 32-bit applications to run natively in 32-bit mode. Applications function in 32-bit mode, even though the underlying operating system is running on the 64-bit operating system.

2 SQL Server 2008 is not supported on Windows Server 2008 Server Core installations.

SQL Server 2008 Enterprise (64-bit) x64

The following table shows system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Enterprise (64-bit) x64:

Component Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Minimum: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.4 GHz
  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows XP Professional 2003 64-bit x643

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Data Center1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista 64-bit x64 Ultimate3

Windows Vista 64-bit x64 Home Premium3

Windows Vista 64-bit x64 Home Basic3

Windows Vista 64-bit x64 Enterprise3

Windows Vista 64-bit x64 Business3

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V2,4

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center without Hyper-V1,2

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise,

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1,2

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum:512 MB
  • Recommended: 2.048 GB or more
  • Maximum: Operating system maximum

1Management Tools are supported in WOW64, a feature of 64-bit editions of Windows that enables 32-bit applications to run natively in 32-bit mode. Applications function in 32-bit mode even though the underlying operating system is running on the 64-bit operating system.

2 SQL Server 2008 is not supported on Windows Server 2008 Server Core installations.

3This version of Windows supports SQL Server 2008 Enterprise Evaluation, not Enterprise.

SQL Server 2008 Standard (64-bit) x64

The following table shows system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Standard (64-bit) x64:

Component Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Minimum: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.4 GHz
  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows XP Professional x64

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1,2

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Data Center1,2

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1,2

Windows Vista Ultimate x64

Windows Vista Enterprise x64

Windows Vista Business x64

Windows Server 2008 x64 Web1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard, Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard without Hyper-V1,2

Windows Server 2008 x64 Data Center, Windows Server 2008 x64 Data Center without Hyper-V1,2

Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise, Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1,2

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum:512 MB
  • Recommended: 2.048 GB or more
  • Maximum: Operating system maximum

1Management Tools are supported in WOW64, a feature of 64-bit editions of Microsoft Windows that enables 32-bit applications to execute natively in 32-bit mode. Applications function in 32-bit mode even though the underlying operating system is running on the 64-bit operating system.

2 SQL Server 2008 is not supported on Windows Server 2008 Server Core installations.

SQL Server 2008 Enterprise (32-bit)

The following table shows the system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Enterprise (32-bit):

Component Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Pentium III-compatible processor or faster

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.0 GHz
  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows XP Professional SP21

Windows XP SP2 Tablet1

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 20021

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 20041

Windows XP Media Center 20051

Windows XP Professional Reduced Media1

Windows Server 2003 Small Business Server R2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 Small Business Server R2 Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Enterprise

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Data Center

Windows Server 2003 Small Business Server SP2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 Small Business Server SP2 Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard2

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Data Center2

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise2

Windows Vista Ultimate1

Windows Vista Home Premium1

Windows Vista Home Basic1

Windows Vista Enterprise1

Windows Vista Business1

Windows Vista 64-bit x64 Ultimate1,2

Windows Vista 64-bit x64 Home Premium1,2

Windows Vista 64-bit x64 Home Basic1,2

Windows Vista 64-bit x64 Enterprise1,2

Windows Vista 64-bit x64 Business1,2

Windows Server 2008 Standard (with and without Hyper-V)

Windows Server 2008 Web

Windows Server 2008 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 Data Center without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard without Hyper-V2

Windows Server 2008 x64 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 x64 Data Center without Hyper-V2

Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V2

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum: 512 MB
  • Recommended: 2.048 GB or more
  • Maximum: Operating system maximum

1This version of Windows supports SQL Server 2008 Enterprise Evaluation, not Enterprise.

2This edition of SQL Server can be installed to the Windows on Windows (WOW64) 32-bit subsystem of a 64-bit server.

SQL Server 2008 Standard (32-bit)

The following table shows the system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Standard (32-bit):

Component Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Pentium III-compatible processor or faster

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.0 GHz
  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows XP Professional SP2

Windows XP SP2 Tablet

Windows XP x64 Professional 20031

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2002

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2004

Windows XP Media Center 2005

Windows XP Professional Reduced Media

Windows Server 2003 Small Business Server R2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 Small Business Server R2 Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Enterprise

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Data Center

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Data Center1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Ultimate

Windows Vista Enterprise

Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista Ultimate x641

Windows Vista Enterprise x641

Windows Vista Business x641

Windows Server 2008 Web

Windows Server 2008 Standard Server

Windows Server 2008 Standard Server without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 Data Center without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 x64 Data Center without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum: 512 MB
  • Recommended: 2.048 GB or more
  • Maximum: Operating system maximum

1This edition of SQL Server can be installed to the Windows on Windows (WOW64) 32-bit subsystem of a 64-bit server.

Specialized Editions (64-bit and 32-bit)

SQL Server 2008 Developer (64-bit) IA64

The following table shows system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Developer (64-bit) IA64. Note that this edition of SQL Server 2008 is not available in the following localized versions: Italian, Spanish, Brazilian (Portuguese), or Russian.

Component Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Minimum: Itanium processor or faster

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit Itanium Data Center2

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit Itanium Enterprise2

Windows Server 2008 64-bit Itanium Edition2

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum: 512 MB
  • Recommended: 2.048 GB or more
  • Maximum: Operating system maximum

2Management Tools are supported in WOW64, a feature of 64-bit editions of Microsoft Windows that enables 32-bit applications to execute natively in 32-bit mode. Applications function in 32-bit mode even though the underlying operating system is running on the 64-bit operating system.

4 SQL Server 2008 is not supported on Windows Server 2008 Server Core installations.

SQL Server 2008 Developer (64-bit) x64

The following table shows system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Developer (64-bit) x64:

Component Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Minimum: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.4 GHz
  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows XP x64 Professional 2003

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard2

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Data Center2

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise2

Windows Vista Ultimate x64

Windows Vista Home Premium x64

Windows Vista Home Basic x64

Windows Vista Enterprise x64

Windows Vista Business x64

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard, Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V2

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center, Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center without Hyper-V2

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise, Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V2

Windows Server 2008 x64 Web2

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum:512 MB
  • Recommended: 2.048 GB or more
  • Maximum: Operating system maximum

2Management Tools are supported in WOW64, a feature of 64-bit editions of Microsoft Windows that enables 32-bit applications to execute natively in 32-bit mode. Applications function in 32-bit mode even though the underlying operating system is running on the 64-bit operating system.

4 SQL Server 2008 is not supported on Windows Server 2008 Server Core installations.

SQL Server 2008 Workgroup (64-bit) x64

The following table shows system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Workgroup (64-bit) x64:

Component Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Minimum: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.4 GHz
  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows XP x64 Professional 2003

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard2

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Data Center2

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise2

Windows Vista Ultimate x64

Windows Vista Home Premium x64

Windows Vista Home Basic x64

Windows Vista Enterprise x64

Windows Vista Business x64

Windows Server 2008 x64 Web2

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard, Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V2

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center, Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center without Hyper-V2

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise, Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V2

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum:512 MB
  • Recommended: 2.048 GB or more
  • Maximum: Operating system maximum

2Management Tools are supported in WOW64, a feature of 64-bit editions of Microsoft Windows that enables 32-bit applications to execute natively in 32-bit mode. Applications function in 32-bit mode even though the underlying operating system is running on the 64-bit operating system.

4 SQL Server 2008 is not supported on Windows Server 2008 Server Core installations.

SQL Server 2008 Web (64-bit) x64

The following table shows system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Web (64-bit) x64:

Component Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Minimum: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.4 GHz
  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows XP x64 Professional 2003

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard2

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Data Center2

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise2

Windows Vista Ultimate x64

Windows Vista Enterprise x64

Windows Vista Business x64

Windows Server 2008 x64 Web

Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard, Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard without Hyper-V2

Windows Server 2008 x64 Data Center, Windows Server 2008 x64 Data Center without Hyper-V2

Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise, Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V2

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum:512 MB
  • Recommended: 2.048 GB or more
  • Maximum: Operating system maximum

2Management Tools are supported in WOW64, a feature of 64-bit editions of Microsoft Windows that enables 32-bit applications to execute natively in 32-bit mode. Applications function in 32-bit mode even though the underlying operating system is running on the 64-bit operating system.

4 SQL Server 2008 is not supported on Windows Server 2008 Server Core installations.

SQL Server 2008 Express Advanced (64-bit) x64

The following table shows system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Express Advanced (64-bit) x64:

Component Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Minimum: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.4 GHz
  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows Server 2003 x64

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Data Center1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Ultimate x64

Windows Vista Home Premium x64

Windows Vista Home Basic x64

Windows Vista Enterprise x64

Windows Vista Business x64

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Web1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum:512 MB
  • Recommended: 1 GB or more
  • Maximum: Operating system maximum

2Management Tools are supported in WOW64, a feature of 64-bit editions of Windows that enables 32-bit applications to execute natively in 32-bit mode. Applications function in 32-bit mode even though the underlying operating system is running on the 64-bit operating system.

SQL Server Developer (32-bit)

The following table shows the system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Developer (32-bit):

Component Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Pentium III-compatible processor or faster

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.0 GHz
  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows XP Home Edition SP2

Windows XP Professional SP2

Windows XP Tablet SP2

Windows XP Professional x64 SP21

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2002

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2004

Windows XP Media Center 2005

Windows XP Professional Reduced Media

Windows XP Home Edition Reduced Media

Windows Server 2003 Small Business Server R2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 Small Business Server R2 Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Enterprise

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Data Center

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard2

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Data Center2

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise2

Windows Vista Ultimate

Windows Vista Home Premium

Windows Vista Home Basic

Windows Vista Starter Edition

Windows Vista Enterprise

Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit x642

Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit x642

Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit x642

Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit x642

Windows Vista Business 64-bit x642

Windows Server 2008 Web

Windows Server 2008 Standard

Windows Server 2008 Standard without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 Data Center without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V2

Windows Server 2008 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 Data Center without Hyper-V2

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V2

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum: 512 MB
  • Recommended: 2.048 GB or more
  • Maximum: Operating system maximum

1This edition of SQL Server 2008 can be installed to the Windows on Windows (WOW64) 32-bit subsystem of a 64-bit server.

2 SQL Server 2008 is not supported on Windows Server 2008 Server Core installations.

SQL Server Workgroup (32-bit)

The following table shows the system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Workgroup (32-bit):

Component Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Pentium III-compatible processor or faster

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.0 GHz
  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows XP Professional SP2

Windows XP SP2 Tablet

Windows XP Professional 64-bit x643

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2002

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2004

Windows XP Media Center 2005

Windows XP Professional Reduced Media

Windows Server 2003 Small Business Server R2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 Small Business Server R2 Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Enterprise

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Data Center

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Premium

Windows Server 2003 64-bit x64 Standard3

Windows Server 2003 64-bit x64 Data Center3

Windows Server 2003 64-bit x64 Enterprise3

Windows Vista Vista Ultimate

Windows Vista Enterprise

Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista 64-bit x64 Ultimate3

Windows Vista 64-bit x64 Enterprise3

Windows Vista 64-bit x64 Business3

Windows Server 2008 2008 Web

Windows Server 2008 Standard

Windows Server 2008 Standard without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 Data Center without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V3

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center without Hyper-V3

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V3

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum: 512 MB
  • Recommended: 2.048 GB or more
  • Maximum: Operating system maximum

3This edition of SQL Server 2008 can be installed to the Windows on Windows (WOW64) 32-bit subsystem of a 64-bit server.

5 SQL Server 2008 is not supported on Windows Server 2008 Server Core installations.

SQL Server Web (32-bit)

The following table shows the system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Web (32-bit):

Component Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Pentium III-compatible processor or faster

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.0 GHz
  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows XP Professional SP2

Windows XP SP2 Tablet

Windows XP Professional XP x643

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2002

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2004

Windows XP Media Center 2005

Windows XP Professional Reduced Media

Windows Server 2003 Small Business Server R2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 Small Business Server R2 Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Enterprise

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Data Center

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard3

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Data Center3

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise3

Windows Vista Ultimate

Windows Vista Enterprise

Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista Ultimate x643

Windows Vista Enterprise x643

Windows Vista Business x643

Windows Server 2008 Web

Windows Server 2008 Standard Server

Windows Server 2008 Standard Server without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 Data Center without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard without Hyper-V3

Windows Server 2008 x64 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 x64 Data Center without Hyper-V3

Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V3

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum: 512 MB
  • Recommended: 2.048 GB or more
  • Maximum: Operating system maximum

3This edition of SQL Server 2008 can be installed to the Windows on Windows (WOW64) 32-bit subsystem of a 64-bit server.

5 SQL Server 2008 is not supported on Windows Server 2008 Server Core installations.

SQL Server Express (32-bit) and Express with Advanced Services (32-bit)

The following table shows the system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Express (32-bit) and Express with Advanced Services (32-bit):

Component Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Pentium III-compatible processor or faster

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.0 GHz
  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows XP SP2 Home

Windows XP SP2 Professional

Windows XP SP2 Tablet

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2002

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2004

Windows XP Media Center 2005

Windows Server 2003 Reduced Media

Windows XP Home Edition Reduced Media

Windows Server 2003 Small Business Server R2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 Small Business Server R2 Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 2003 SP2 Enterprise

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Data Center

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Web Edition

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard3

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Data Center3

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise3

Windows Vista Ultimate

Windows Vista Home Premium

Windows Vista Home Basic

Windows Vista Enterprise

Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit x648

Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit x648

Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit x648

Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit x648

Windows Vista Business 64-bit x648

Windows Server 2008 Standard Server

Windows Server 2008 Standard Server without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 Data Center without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Web Edition

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Web Edition3

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V3

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center without Hyper-V3

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V3

Windows XP Embedded SP2 feature pack 20077

Windows Embedded for Point of Service SP27

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum: 256 MB
  • Recommended: 1.024 GB or more
  • Maximum: Operating system maximum

3This edition of SQL Server 2008 can be installed to the Windows on Windows (WOW64) 32-bit subsystem of a 64-bit server.

5 SQL Server 2008 is not supported on Windows Server 2008 Server Core installations.

6 SQL Server 2008 support on Windows Server 2003 R2 is the same as support on Windows Server 2003 SP2.

7Supports SQL Server 2008 Express, not SQL Server 2008 Express with Advanced Services.

8 SQL Server 2008 Express Advanced can be installed to the Windows on Windows (WOW64) 32-bit subsystem of a 64-bit server with this operating system.

SQL Server 2008 Express x64 (64-bit)

The following table shows system requirements for SQL Server 2008 Express x64 (64-bit):

Component Requirement

Processor

Processor type:

  • Minimum: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support

Processor speed:

  • Minimum: 1.4 GHz
  • Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

Operating System

Windows Server 2003 x64

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Data Center

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise

Windows Vista Ultimate x64

Windows Vista Home Premium x64

Windows Vista Home Basic x64

Windows Vista Enterprise x64

Windows Vista Business x64

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Web

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V

Memory

RAM:

  • Minimum:256 MB
  • Recommended: 1.024 GB or more
  • Maximum: Operating system maximum

2Management Tools are supported in WOW64, a feature of 64-bit editions of Microsoft Windows that enables 32-bit applications to execute natively in 32-bit mode. Applications function in 32-bit mode even though the underlying operating system is running on the 64-bit operating system.

4 SQL Server 2008 is not supported on Windows Server 2008 Server Core installations.

Cross-Language Support

  • The English-language version of SQL Server 2008 is supported on all localized versions of supported operating systems.
  • Localized versions of SQL Server 2008 are supported on localized operating systems that are the same language as the localized SQL Server 2008 version.
  • Localized versions of SQL Server can be upgraded to localized versions of SQL Server 2008 of the same language.
  • Localized versions of SQL Server cannot be upgraded to the English-language version of SQL Server 2008.
  • Localized versions of SQL Server cannot be upgraded to localized SQL Server 2008 versions of a different localized language.
  • Localized versions of SQL Server 2008 are also supported on English-language versions of supported operating systems by using the Windows Multilingual User Interface Pack (MUI) settings. However, you must verify certain operating system settings before you install a localized version of SQL Server 2008 on a server that is running an English-language operating system with a non-English MUI setting. You must verify that the following operating system settings match the language of SQL Server 2008 to be installed:
    • The operating system user interface setting
    • The operating system user locale setting
    • The system locale setting
    If these operating system settings do not match the language of the localized SQL Server, then you must correctly set these operating system settings before you install SQL Server 2008.

Extended System Support

SQL Server 2008 64-bit versions include support for extended systems, also known as Windows on Windows (WOW64). WOW64 is a feature of 64-bit editions of Windows that enables 32-bit applications to execute natively in 32-bit mode. Applications function in 32-bit mode even though the underlying operating system is running on the 64-bit operating system.

Hard Disk Space Requirements (32-Bit and 64-Bit)

During installation of SQL Server 2008, Windows Installer creates temporary files on the system drive. Before you run Setup to install or upgrade SQL Server, verify that you have at least 2.0 GB of available disk space on the system drive for these files. This requirement applies even if you install SQL Server components to a non-default drive.

Actual hard disk space requirements depend on your system configuration and the features that you decide to install. The following table provides disk space requirements for SQL Server 2008 components:

Feature Disk space requirement

Database Engine and data files, Replication, and Full-Text Search

280 MB

Analysis Services and data files

90 MB

Reporting Services and Report Manager

120 MB

Integration Services

120 MB

Client Components

850 MB

SQL Server Books Online and SQL Server Compact Books Online

240 MB

Installing SQL Server on a Domain Controller

For security reasons, Microsoft recommends that you do not install SQL Server 2008 on a domain controller. SQL Server Setup will not block installation on a computer that is a domain controller, but the following limitations apply:

  • On Windows Server 2003, SQL Server services can run under a domain account or a local system account.
  • You cannot run SQL Server services on a domain controller under a local service account or a network service account.
  • After SQL Server is installed on a computer, you cannot change the computer from a domain member to a domain controller. You must uninstall SQL Server before you change the host computer to a domain controller.
  • After SQL Server is installed on a computer, you cannot change the computer from a domain controller to a domain member. You must uninstall SQL Server before you change the host computer to a domain member.
  • SQL Server failover cluster instances are not supported where cluster nodes are domain controllers.
  • SQL Server Setup cannot create security groups or provision SQL Server service accounts on a read-only domain controller. In this scenario, Setup will fail.

Supported Clients (64-Bit)

SQL Server 2008 64-bit client components can be installed on Windows Server 2003 (64-bit).

See Also

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