Microsoft SQL Server 2014 - the powerful software for comprehensive database management and virtualization
With Microsoft SQL Server 2014 , companies get a powerful system for managing and storing data to make it available online as well as for desktop applications. SQL Server 2014 focuses entirely on the trend towards the cloud - and therefore also on correspondingly stronger performance. Operation in mission-critical environments has therefore been significantly optimized, to which the new or expanded functions in-memory and cloud BI also contribute; in addition to the higher scalability and the possibility of creating or supporting hybrid cloud scenarios. In this framework, SQL Server version 2014 offers a stronger link with the Azure cloud platform, backup and disaster recovery are thereby also available with Azure Virtual Machine. SQL Server 2014 can alternatively be used on-premise, for pure Azure applications or for hybrid cloud solutions.
As introduced with the previous version of Microsoft's relational database management system, SQL Server 2014 licensing again offers the alternative between core-based (based on computing power) licenses and the server-based plus user or device access license (CAL) form.
Microsoft SQL Server 2014 is available from Wiresoft in the Standard and Enterprise editions for comprehensive business use. Already in the Standard edition, SQL Server 2014 provides basic data management and BI capabilities that enable smaller organizations with less need for virtualization of services application to have all the essential tools that business-critical applications require.
SQL Server 2014 Enterprise Edition provides end users with the most comprehensive set of tools and capabilities to deliver scalable, highly available SQL Server applications.
Both the Standard and Enterprise editions provide versatile server solutions for organizations of all sizes that require minimal IT resources while delivering maximum efficiency.
Work efficiently with SQL Server 2014 Services
The SQL Server system is made up of several components, called Services by Microsoft, which facilitate both the comprehensive application of its functions and its administration. SQL Server 2014 includes the following server components:
- Database Engine
- Analysis Services
- Reporting Services
- Integration Services
- Master Data Services
SQL Server Database Engine
The SQL Server database engine or database module provides the basic functions for SQL Server 2014. This includes processing as well as storage, replication and backup of data. This database module also contains various tools for managing or providing relational and XML data, as well as a DQS (Data Quality Services) server, which also works together with Integration Services.
Analysis Services
This analysis component of Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Standard provides a range of tools that enable users to create and manage OLAP (Online Analytical Processing) queries - e.g. for trend analysis, sales forecasts, budget calculations or financial reports. This also includes data mining applications for statistical calculations to identify trends or patterns in the analyzed data.
Reporting Services
Reporting Services in SQL Server 2014 allow reports to be created in a wide variety of forms: either as a matrix, graph, or free-form. These reports can also be easily and efficiently managed and deployed. Reporting Services also provides an extensible platform for developing custom reporting applications.
Integration Services
With Integration Services (SSIS), SQL Server 2014 provides a group of graphical tools as well as programmable objects that are used to either move, copy or transform data. With fixed roles available in the SSIS catalog database, Integration Services are a great convenience, especially for admins.
Master Data Services
The Master Data Services (MDS for short) provide an efficient and secure solution for managing domains, as well as customers, accounts and products, while ensuring the security of transactions. For this purpose, MDS data versions can be used to manage hierarchies as well as business rules. A special add-in for Excel also supports the Master Data Services.
Important innovations with SQL Server 2014 - for optimized data analysis
Microsoft SQL Server 2014 provides users with a cloud-enabled information platform that offers a number of important tools and functions that enable companies to provide reliable solutions and applications for the cloud as well. These include in-memory OLTP functionality as well as Column Store Index and StreamInsight, which also support the hybrid cloud strategy with SQL Azure, described in more detail below.
SQL Server Data Tools for Business Intelligence
Other new features in SQL Server 2014, in addition to high availability and scalability, include the new SQL Server Data Tools for Business Intelligence (SSDT). The BI project templates support Visual Studio 2013 in addition to Analysis Services, Integration Services and Reporting Services.
In-memory technology with OLTP in the Enterprise edition
In the new SQL release, the integrated in-memory OLTP - Online Transaction Processing - is particularly noteworthy in the Enterprise edition. This feature - announced by Microsoft as "Project Hekaton" - represents a real turbo that contributes to the significant performance increase of SQL Server 2014. This is an in-memory database that supports the OLTP workloads built into Microsoft SQL Server 2014. In-memory OLTP complements the in-memory capabilities already available for data warehousing and business intelligence.
The memory-resident OLTP capabilities available with Hekaton boost the performance of SQL Server applications without requiring additional optimization. Hekaton is only available in the Enterprise version, so companies that value fast performance should go for this edition.
Memory optimized xVelocity ColumnStore indexes & AlwaysOn availability groups
Also available only in the Enterprise edition are the updatable ColumnStore indexes, which allow data to be stored, managed and retrieved in a column-based data format.
Last but not least, SQL Server 2014 also offers AlwaysOn Availability Groups here, supporting up to 8 secondary replicas, including 2 synchronous secondary replicas.
Microsoft SQL Server 2014 - System Requirements
Memory: min. 1 GB RAM, recommended 4 GB or more
Processor: min. 1 GHz for 32-bit systems or 1.4 GHz for 64-bit systems, 2 GHz recommended
Hard disk space: min. 6 GB, also depending on the installed SQL Server 2014 components
Operating system: Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 in 32-bit and 64-bit versions respectively
Windows SQL Server 2014 editions and licensing at Wiresoft
SQL Server 2014 is offered at Wiresoft in two main editions, which take into account the different requirements of organizations and individuals in terms of features and performance:
- The Enterprise edition of SQL Server 2014 is particularly suited for mission-critical applications that require strong in-memory performance as well as security while maintaining high availability.
- The Standard edition of SQL Server 2014 already offers comprehensive features for middle-tier applications and data warehouses (data marts).
The new Microsoft licensing model for SQL Server 2014
The new so-called license metric from Microsoft also applies to the SQL Server 2014 version.
This defines, depending on the respective server edition, which licensing options are offered to use the SQL software.
With the older Microsoft Server versions, it had previously not mattered how many cores a processor had. Now, however, for certain SQL Server editions, their number is the basis for defining licensing requirements. The reason for this is the increased number of cores, which further increases the performance of the processors, and thus also the growing workloads. Core licensing thus corresponds in a certain way to the higher scaling of performance.
The Standard edition of SQL Server version 2014 is - in contrast to other editions such as Enterprise - not only available as 2-core licensing, but also with licensing per Server/CALs. Microsoft is thus taking into account the lower demands of smaller and medium-sized companies in terms of performance and scalability of the services. In this way, they can also benefit from the performance and the cloud functions of SQL Server 2014 and at the same time fall back on the usually more favorable licensing alternative with Server & CALs.
In order to find out which form of licensing for SQL Server 2014 Standard Edition is the most suitable for your company or organization, you should therefore determine and analyze the typical workloads, and on this basis select the appropriate edition or, in the case of Standard, also the correct license form. This also depends on the number of your employees as well as the required virtualization of services. Although server/CAL licensing is often the more cost-effective option here, in some cases it may be advantageous to choose licensing by cores. Below is a brief explanation of the two licensing options for SQL Server 2014. If you have any questions about which is best for your company or requirements, please feel free to contact us for a consultation.
Licensing of SQL Server version 2014 with 2-core packages
According to Microsoft, core-based licensing of SQL Server 2014 is based on the following criteria: A single core license is always valid for two cores - instead of one license per processor, as was previously the case. However, Microsoft has introduced an additional criterion, so that it is not the sole number of cores per processor that corresponds to the number of core licenses required; rather, the following applies: the minimum number of cores is always 16, regardless of whether an engine is equipped with fewer cores.
Thus, you must purchase at least 16 core licenses in any case, i.e. 8 packages of 2-core licenses. Additional licenses in the form of CALs are then not required. Engines with a lower number of cores than 16 can therefore not be licensed at a lower price.
Server/CAL licensing for SQL Server 2014 Standard
When licensing with a server license plus client access licenses (CAL), these two components are required: the server first needs its own license for the SQL Server 2014 edition Standard. This includes admin rights, but in order for an employee to use the server services and features, they must have an additional client access license. Here you can choose between the CAL for a user or for an end device - called User or Device CAL. Both are also available from Wiresoft at a special price.
License Microsoft SQL Server 2014 at a low price at Wiresoft
At Wiresoft you can get SQL Server 2014 in the Standard- as well as in the Enterprise-Edition as original Microsoft licenses. You will benefit especially from the price advantage that Wiresoft grants you for these and other Microsoft software licenses. Because all offered Microsoft products are unused licenses, which come from European companies, are 100% usable - and were acquired absolutely legally by us. Because after the judgement of the European Court of Justice it is permitted to resell or to acquire software products like e.g. server licenses. Therefore you can be sure to buy a fully usable license package from Wiresoft, which has been thoroughly checked for authenticity by us. Many customers trust in Wiresoft's license offer as well as the expert advice on it. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about your specific Microsoft SQL Server 2014 licensing.
