New features of SQL Server 2017 Standard at a glance

SQL Server 2017 is a powerful version of Microsoft's proven data platform to perform all major reporting and analysis functions, etc. The Standard enables small and medium-sized companies in particular to efficiently manage their individual requirements for a Relational Database Management System (RDMS), including inventory management, CRM and ERP systems. For example, a user can use it to create OLTP and OLAP data, or execute T-SQL queries in Hadoop with PolyBase.

The 2017 version of SQL Server also offers more choice than ever before when it comes to languages: in addition to Windows as Standard, it now also allows Linux distributions to be used. IT staff can now choose from a variety of programming languages when developing applications to run Windows, Linux and Docker containers. The Java Database Connectivity Driver (JDBC) can also be used.

In addition, users with Python and R benefit from Insights through In-Database Advanced Analytics and interactive visualizations. Up to one million predictions per second are possible. With the new graph databases, users can now convert raw data into clear reports, while the mobile end-to-end BI (Business Intelligence) allows for display on various devices.

In addition, SQL Server 2017 offers many enhancements and new functions in the Master Data Services (MDS) and Reporting Services (SSRS) for SQL Server 2017 in addition to performance improvements. The following is an overview of the most important changes and functions of the SQL Server 2017 Standard in detail.

New Database Engine Features in SQL Server 2017

The database module in SQL Server 2017 is capable of handling even the most demanding data processing applications. In addition to improved performance, SQL Server 2017 offers many new database engine features for complex analysis and improved workflows. In adaptive query processing, there are improvements to Adaptive Joins, feedback on memory allocation in batch mode, and overlapping execution of table value functions with multiple statements, which also saves CPU resources. Performance is further enhanced by new dynamic management lists and automatic database optimization; query performance problems are displayed, solutions are suggested and detected problems are automatically resolved. It is also possible to add CLR assemblies to a positive list.

SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS)

SQL Server 2017 also includes many important updates to existing features in SQL Server Analysis Services - SSAS. For example, there are several improvements to the tabular models, including a new tabular mode as a default installation option. Get Data in Power BI supports existing data sources for queries in the Power Query M formula language.

SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)

The Scale Out feature in SSIS in SQL Server 2017 also includes several improvements and new features that make it easier to run SSIS on multiple PCs. The Scale Out Master supports high availability, and the failover handling of execution logs from Scale Out workers has been optimized. The SSIS catalog now has an additional global property to specify the Standard when deploying SSIS packages, and now also supports SQL Server on Linux.

Using Linux with SQL Server 2017 Standard

To access the SQL Server, users can now use the open operating system Linux. The Open Database Connectivity Interface connects to SQL Server 2017 for both Linux and C++ applications. Likewise, the Java Database Connectivity Driver no longer poses a problem for Java applications.

SQL Server Machine Learning Services

In the SQL Server 2017 version, the previous SQL Server R Services were renamed SQL Server Machine Learning Services. The new name indicates an innovation through the support of Python - in addition to the previous R programming language. This means that either R or Python scripts can be used for execution; it is also possible to install the Microsoft Machine Learning Server to provide R and Python models. With the 2017 version, developers for SQL Server have access to ML and AI libraries for Python, which are available in an open source environment.

SQL Server 2017 Edition Standard at Wiresoft

The SQL Server 2017 version is available in different editions, tailored to the specific requirements of companies, institutions and developers. The main difference between the Standard and Enterprise Editions of SQL Server 2017 is the performance and the range of functions. While the Enterprise Edition provides the maximum computing capacity for each individual instance, the Standard is limited to less than 4 sockets or 24 cores, or a certain number of GB depending on the application.

The Standard of SQL Server 2017 is the right choice for basic management and business intelligence (BI) functions and for workloads that require the minimum IT resources typical of small and midsize businesses.

SQL Server 2017 StandardHardware Requirements

Processor/Power: at least 2 GHz and 2 cores

Hard disk space: at least 6 GB

Working memory: at least 4 GB RAM

operating system:

Windows: Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2016 or Windows 8 to Windows 10

Linux: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.3, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP2 or Ubuntu 16.04, Docker Engine 1.8+ for container deployments, 3.25 GB RAM, XFS or EXT4

Also: .NET 4.6 for the choice of database engine, master data services and replication

Screen: Resolution of at least 800 x 600 (Super VGA)

Additional requirements depend on the system configuration and the installed applications.

Licensing model for Microsoft SQL Server 2017

With the 2016 version of SQL Server, Microsoft has introduced a significant change to the license metric to calculate an organization's need for licenses. The basis for the exact determination of the license requirement for the editions Standard and especially Enterprise is now the number of cores. This innovation is aimed in particular at the servers of larger and larger companies, whose processors are much more powerful than before.

For small or smaller companies with correspondingly lower server performance, Microsoft continues to offer the option of combining server license plus access licenses (CALs) for SQL Server 2017 Standard in addition to the core licensing. This may be the cheaper option for an organization or company.

Licensing SQL Server 2017 Standard with CALs

The separate licensing of server and users or end devices differentiates between the use (license) of a software from its implementation in the company.

Each software license assigned to a server entitles the user to run any number of instances of the server software in a physical or virtual operating system environment.

In addition, in order to use the services of Microsoft SQL Server Standard 2017, employees require a certain number of CALs that only allow these authorized users or end devices access to the SQL server. This denies access to the server to third parties who do not have either of the two access licenses, which means greater protection of company data against unauthorized access.

Difference between User CALs and Device CALs for SQL Server Standard 2017

There are two variants of the Client Access Licensing for the SQL-Server Standard 2017: the User CAL and the Device CAL - i.e. the user-related or the device-related license, which are both available from Wiresoft. The two CAL variants cover the main types of use of SQL Server Standard. Below you will find an overview of the differences between the two licensing options.

User CAL for SQL Server

With a Microsoft User CAL for SQL Server, a specific individual user gets access to the current SQL Server version. Since a User CAL is not linked to a specific device, it can be used variably either from a PC OR from a laptop or other end device, regardless of whether the user of the device is at work in the company, on the road or in the home Office. The user licensing makes the use of SQL Server practical, especially in company structures with flexible workstations or different locations.

Device CAL for SQL Server

The Device CAL for Microsoft SQL Server is a device-related license, which means that only a single device with the technical requirements for access is authorized: EITHER a PC in the company OR a laptop or other device, e.g. a tablet. This means that every employee who has access to the licensed end device also has access rights to every SQL Server Standard in his organization.

Device CAL is therefore suitable for PCs etc. that are used alternately by many different employees.

Which type of CAL is most suitable for your company therefore varies from case to case. In addition to the number of employees and the predominant usage in your company, the following factors also play a role in the choice:

If one or more employees regularly accesses the Windows SQL Server 2017 mainly from one workstation, the Device CAL is most suitable. If, on the other hand, a certain employee accesses the SQL server flexibly (stationary or mobile) from different end devices or workstations, the User CAL is more suitable. Under certain circumstances, a combination of Device and User CALs is also recommended.

Buy CALs for SQL Server 2017 from Wiresoft

Wiresoft offers Device and User CALs for the Microsoft SQL Server version 2017 at a particularly reasonable price. So you can easily cover or even extend your individual needs for server licenses. For all SQL CALs offered - whether device or user license - the following applies: The licenses available from Wiresoft are always original Microsoft products from the European area, which we have checked for authenticity for you. You benefit from a price advantage by purchasing legal, unused software licenses, which we have acquired from other companies. Many of our customers have confirmed this.

If you have any questions regarding your licensing for Microsoft SQL-Server 2017 Standard, please feel free to contact us at any time. We will advise you on your individual CAL combination.