Second instance

[MarkButler]

Why would you install a second instance of SQL server? What is the major advantage of doing so?

TIA

 

[JayKusch]

One would be to run 2 instances of SQL Server on the same physical server. You could set the default instance to be accessible via port 1433 and you could have the second named instance respond to port 1434.

Thanks

J. Kusch

 

[Corran007]

I can think of a few reasons.

If your various depts instest on having thier own sepererate servers. HR and finance have thier own stuff and do not want others in them. However if your a SA, you can get into any place you want. So they get a really powerful box and put two instances. Then they can have thier own SA.

Another would be if your a service provider, you could give everyone thier own "server".

Im sure there are others, but ive had to deal with the first reason.

 

[MarkButler]

Thanx for both your input. I have an application that uses SQL as the back end and I have just run into another installation where they had multiple instances. Quite frankly I could have installed my database to either one as far as I was concerned. Each time I look for a reason or a difference and there is not any as far as I can tell. Again thanx, I just had to ask.