Professional SQL Server™ 2005 Integration Services

1.8. Editions of SQL Server 2005

The available features in SSIS and SQL Server vary widely based on what edition of SQL Server you're using. As you can imagine, the more high-end the edition of SQL Server, the more features are available. In order from high-end to low-end, the following SQL Server editions are available:

• SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition: The edition of SQL Server for large enterprises that need higher availability and more advanced features in SQL Server and business intelligence. For example, there is no limit on processors or RAM in this edition. You're bound only by the number of processors and amount of RAM that the OS can handle. This edition is available for an estimated retail price (ERP) of $24,999 (U.S.) per processor or $13,499 (U.S.) per server (25 CALs). Microsoft will also continue to support Developer Edition, which lets developers develop SQL Server solutions at a much reduced price. That edition has all the features of Enterprise Edition but is licensed for development purposes only.

• SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition: This edition of SQL Server has a lot more value in SQL Server 2005. For example, you can now create a highly available system in Standard Edition by using clustering, database mirroring, and integrated 64-bit support. These features were available only in Enterprise Edition in SQL Server 2000 and caused many businesses to purchase Enterprise Edition when Standard Edition was probably sufficient for them. Like Enterprise Edition in ...