Information on Upgrading to Full Version of SQL
As your business grows you may find the need to upgrade your SQL database to facilitate the amount of data processed and stored by the ShipWorks software. This article will assist you with determining when to upgrade, what versions of SQL Software are available, and will give you some basic information and best practices when upgrading to a paid version of Microsoft SQL Server.
By default when installing the ShipWorks software, ShipWorks installs and creates the ShipWorks database using Microsoft SQL Express 2017. The Express version of ShipWorks, while free, has a few limitations.
Maximum database size of 10 GB.
Limit on the amount of RAM that can be allocated to the database of 1410 MB.
Limits the number of CPU usage to one core or four processors.
For high volume shippers needing a larger database or for business using a high-end server, these may prove to be costly limitations.
There are full versions of Microsoft SQL Server available for purchase. By upgrading to the full version of Microsoft SQL Server you unlock the limitations mentioned above giving you unlimited database size and allowing you to tap into all of the resources available on a high-end server.
The paid version of SQL Server 2017 gives you:
SQL Server 2017 Standard Edition
Max CPU Usage: 24 cores
Max Memory Usage: 128 GB
Max Database Storage: 524 Petabytes
SQL Server 2017 Enterprise Edition
Max CPU Usage: Unlimited
Max Memory Usage: OS maximum
Max Database Storage: 524 Petabytes
SQL Server is sold on a per core scale (in 2 or 16 core packs) or by Server/CAL Licensing (Devices/ number of Users). We recommend reaching out to a local Microsoft Solution Provider for current pricing. A Microsoft Solution Provider can also assist you with ensuring that you purchase the correct version and number of licenses for your company.
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How many physical cores per server are you running?
Do you intend to migrate any servers into the cloud at any point in time? If so, Software Assurance is highly recommended to allow significant cost savings via Microsoft's Azure Hybrid Benefit.
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Do you prefer to purchase CALs (Client Access Licenses):
Per device? – this would mean the license would be assigned to the device, allowing multiple users to access that device
Per user? – allows a single user to access multiple devices – How many total users will need access to the server?
Are there any remote users? How many?
We recommend that you run SQL Server on computers with the NTFS or ReFS file formats. Installing SQL Server on a computer with FAT32 file system is supported but not recommended as it is less secure than the NTFS or ReFS file systems.
SQL Server Setup will block installations on read-only, mapped, or compressed drives.
Installation fails if you launch setup through Remote Desktop Connection with the media on a local resource in the RDC client. To install remotely the media must be on a network share or local to the physical or virtual machine. SQL Server installation media may be either on a network share, a mapped drive, a local drive, or presented as an ISO to a virtual machine.
SQL Server Management Studio installation requires installing .NET 4.6.1 as a prerequisite. .NET 4.6.1 will be automatically installed by setup when SQL Server Management Studio is selected.
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SQL Server Setup installs the following software components required by the product:
SQL Server Native Client
SQL Server Setup support files
For minimum version requirements to install SQL Server on Windows Server 2012 or Windows 8, see Installing SQL Server on Windows Server 2012 or Windows 8.
.NET Framework: SQL Server 2016 (13.x) RC1 and later require .NET Framework 4.6 for the Database Engine, Master Data Services, or Replication. SQL Server setup automatically installs .NET Framework. You can also manually install .NET Framework from Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6 (Web Installer) for Windows.
SQL Server 2019 (15.x) requires .NET Framework 4.6.2. Available from Download Center
For more information, recommendations, and guidance about .NET Framework 4.6 see .NET Framework Deployment Guide for Developers.
Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 R2 require KB2919355 before installing .NET Framework 4.6.
Network Software: Supported operating systems for SQL Server have built-in network software. Named and default instances of a stand-alone installation support the following network protocols: Shared memory, Named Pipes, TCP/IP, and VIA.
Note: VIA protocol is not supported on failover clusters. Clients or applications running on the same node of the failover cluster as the SQL Server instance, can use Shared Memory protocol to connect to SQL Server using its local pipe address. However this type of connection is not cluster-aware and will fail after an instance failover. It is therefore not recommended and should only be used in very specific scenarios.
Important: The VIA protocol is deprecated. This feature is in maintenance mode and may be removed in a future version of Microsoft SQL Server. Avoid using this feature in new development work, and plan to modify applications that currently use this feature.
For more information about Network Protocols and Network Libraries, see Network Protocols and Network Libraries.
Hard Disk: SQL Server requires a minimum of 6 GB of available hard-disk space.
Disk Space: requirements will vary with the SQL Server components you install. For more information, see Hard Disk Space Requirements later in this article. For information on supported storage types for data files, see Storage Types for Data Files.
Drive: A DVD drive, as appropriate, is required for installation from disc.
Monitor: SQL Server requires Super-VGA (800x600) or higher resolution monitor.
Internet: Internet functionality requires Internet access (fees may apply).
SQL 2019 can be purchased by the individual with backward compatibility to be able to run 2017 Standard for machines already utilizing that version. This can be discussed further with Microsoft Rep.
It would be recommended that if making the investment to upgrade to 2017 SQL Standard, to also schedule a system analysis with a ShipWorks representative to confirm that your server and/or workstation hardware is at the recommended spec for ShipWorks.
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