More and more people today are getting eager to learn about Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express (SSMSE). Why? Simply because SQL Server Management Studio Express serves as the major interface into SQL Server Express. It is also for this reason why more and more lessons are being provided online. These lessons essentially demonstrate the important skills and techniques that are needed to effectively connect to database instances, attach and detach as well as back-up databases, navigate the inquiry window including scripting database objects, and many more.
Basically, SSMSE is a graphical management tool for organizing SQL Server 2005 Express Edition as well as SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with highly developed services. In addition, SSMSE is also capable to organize instances of the SQL Server Database Engine produced by any SQL Server 2005 using any edition. This tool is also perceived great by many because this is not only simple to use but is also free. However, SSMSE tool has its own imperfections too. Like for instance, this tool is not capable to run SQL Server Analysis Services, Notification Services, Integration Services, Reporting Services, SQL Server 2005 Mobile Edition, or SQL Server Agent.
For a more effective operation of SSMSE, a system must have Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 or Windows XP Service Pack 2 as supporting operating system. Ideally, computer must have fast processor; 1 GHz is suggested. It is also recommended for the computer to have more than 512 MB RAM. More information concerning to SQL Server Express is made available in SQL Server Express page on MSDN. This page features more of its editions as well as downloadable components.
SQL Server columnist Brian Kelley wrote an article entitled “Understanding SQL Server Services” in the online knowledge center for database professional, Database Journal. According to him, only few among the Database Administrator (DBA) truly understand the essence of SQL Server Services. He said that one reason why this happened is because Microsoft itself provides an easy installation process for SQL Server 7.
Unfortunately, he claimed that knowing how the SQL Server Services works including their effects can serve as a key to any troubleshooting effort in case something goes wrong. With this case, Kelley explained in detail the two important services for SQL Server— MSSQLServer and SQLServerAgent. Essentially, SQL Server operates under the Network MSSQLServer; meanwhile, SQL Server Agent operates under SQLServerAgent. These two services can be programmed to operate the following user conditions: Local System Account; Local User Account; and Domain User Account. Now, SQLServerAgent and MSSQLServer do not have to operate under the same user conditions according to Kelley although they use to in some instances.
To provide better understanding, Kelly further explained more about the user conditions. He said the Local System Account is an existing account on the machine wherein SQL Server is installed. This has administrative privileges so it can operate as a service. A Local User Account varies though since this is a type of account that is produced by an administrator on the mechanism for SQL Server. Hence, it may not be considered as a component of the local administrator group. Lastly, the Domain User Account, this is likened to the Local User Account since an administrator identifies the kind of permissions it has to the mechanism for SQL Server. This is also not required to become a component of the Local Administrator group.