Is a Dedicated SQL Server Right for You?

In keeping with Microsoft’s tradition of maintaining a monopoly on the system, most sites are now utilizing the services of a dedicated SQL Server, a DMBS (database management system) developed by Microsoft Corporation. There are hundreds of people who are willing to step forth and swear to the increased efficiency and productivity that they were able to attain using their own dedicated SQL server, which has been the foundation upon which Microsoft has built its advertising campaign with regards to this product. The five million dollar question, however, is is a Dedicated SQL Server right for you?

What is a Dedicated SQL Server?

There are three primary forms of server that you can lease when you go forth looking for a service that is going to help your business to grow: a VPS, or virtual private server, a shared server and a dedicated server. You are doubtlessly already familiar with the concept of a dedicated server; however, if you are not this is one concept that you should thoroughly familiarize yourself with before signing on the dotted line. A dedicated SQL server is one that serves one user and one server only. This one server has access to the entirety of its resources, and they never find themselves trapped in a “traffic jam” of information. This means that they will have the complete RAM, memory and bandwidth capabilities of the server all to themselves, allowing their site to be more reliable and to run larger applications with ease.

Another addition to the privileges afforded by the operation of a private dedicated SQL server is the fact that the security on a dedicated server is much stronger than that of its counterparts (which will be described momentarily). This means that users utilizing the services of a dedicated server do not have to worry about other users dipping their fingers into their applications and incurring such complications as denial of service or a complete system crash-a major benefit when your profit margin is directly tied to the reliability of your web site, and a couple of days of downtime due to system sabotage can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars in profits.

Finally, users employing a dedicated SQL server will be able to enjoy the benefits of having complete and total control over the hardware and software that they employ; there will be no “big brother” looking over their shoulder (which often takes the form of the management of the hosting company) telling them that this or that is not allowed.

What are the Benefits of the Microsoft Dedicated SQL Server 2005?

An SQL Dedicated Server will offer you all of the benefits mentioned above, as well as access to the Microsoft SQL Server 2005 software that will help you to manage your databases of information. Of course, you are doubtlessly wondering what Microsoft SQL Server 2005 has to do with your choice of a dedicated server; after all, since you are not sharing a server you maintain complete and total control over your own server, so why exactly should you allow someone else to dictate exactly what you are going to use? Quite simply, because Microsoft SQL Server is the best of the best. Currently, 74.7% of companies are choosing a Microsoft Dedicated SQL Server over Oracle, and for good reason. With a Microsoft Dedicated SQL Server you can enjoy:

• Increased security. This is vital, particularly if you plan to store confidential information on your dedicated SQL server; there have been a number of recent crises in which servers have been hacked and confidential information extracted. Microsoft SQL strives to ensure that does not happen to their clients by making the security on their databases as tight as possible. Since July 2003 over one hundred security vulnerabilities were found in Oracle, compared to absolutely none in Microsoft SQL. None. Zero. Zip. Zilch. Nada. So you can use your SQL server to help to maintain your information and data while being 100% confident that everything you need is going to be there for your eyes alone.
• In 2005 SQL Server broke the record for the 3-terabyte TPC-H non-clustered benchmark, proving that is able to provide high performance and allow their customers to run large-scale, mission critical applications without breaking the bank.
• SQL Server helps to protect their clients’ data against human error and to minimize disaster recovery time, ensuring that your business is not out of the game for an extensive period of time following system failure.
• An SQL Server has enough power to help companies to grow and expand to their maximum potential without losing complete control over their server or other applications.
• Automated tuning, diagnostics and configuration make managing your database simpler and more time efficient, helping to keep costs low and keep maintenance to a minimum.
• Development tools help developers to launch content in much less time than would be required with many other systems.
• Built-in analysis makes evaluating the success of your business easier than ever.
• SQL Server manages some of the world’s largest databases.

How Do You Know if a Dedicated SQL Server is Right for You?

If you operate a website with ongoing business applications then a Dedicated SQL Server is right for you. Regardless of the size and/ or scope of your business, there is an SQL Dedicated Server out there that is custom made especially for you. If you need a strong server (a powerhouse, if you will) that will allow you to manage your large business, run large applications and/or expand your hosting business you can take advantage of the Dedicated Extreme; on the other hand, if you run a small business you may find that the Dedicated Value is the best choice for you.

Regardless of your decision and the type of server with which you choose to align yourself you can rest assured that your data is in good hands with the Dedicated SQL Server 2005, and you will find that its many benefits and automated processes will help you to free your time up for more important things-like enjoying that vacation on the beach when your business stretches out into cyberspace and begins making a real profit.