SQL Server 2008 in File Server question

[iuianj07]

Hello guys,

First of all, I am completely a newbie on SQL Server, I have been creating databases from MS Access and we came to a point now that we need to migrate data/tables into SQL Server...

Our company's head office sent us a new file server that has SQL Server 2008 in it, as our office Director requested it from the IT department in the head office that we are about to need to migrate to SQL Server.

My question though is, how am I going to manage SQL Server, create/view tables and create queries in SQL Server from my local PC?

I would guess that I would need to have SQL Management Studio installed in my PC? Is that the only way for me to connect to the SQL Server (and of course the admin rights and server credentials that the IT department in our head office should give us)?

If so, should I also just download it from Microsoft's website? Probably SQL Server 2008 Management Studio?

Thank you for your patience, and any help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you

 

[markros]

Yes, you will need SQL Server 2008 Management Studio. You can install SQL Server 2008 locally and you also will be able to connect to the main server.

PluralSight Learning Library

 

[iuianj07]

thanks markros,

so just to be sure, the only way for me to be able to connect to the main server and create, import tables and/or queries is just by installing SQL Server 2008 Management Studio? Or is there another way?

Thank you,

 

[dhulbert]

There are a whole raft of programmes you could use to work on SQL server, have a look at TOAD for one.
It's just that Management Studio comes with SQL server (Free), it's a microsoft product designed specifically to a lot of the jobs you want to do easily and most of the training etc you get will use it so it's easier for a new starter.


I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by
Douglas Adams
(1952-2001)

 

[gmmastros]

Installing the SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is not the only way to connect to the database engine and do things. You could download and install a number of tools to do this, including sqlcmd which is a command line tool.

SSMS is bar far the easiest way to do it because it includes a lot of functionality in a graphical user interface.

You should do this:

1. Download and install the free SSMS 2008 Express from here:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=08e52ac2-1d62-45f6-9a4a-4b76a8564a2b

2. When installing, only install the client tools unless you want to also install SQL Server (database engine) on your workstation. From the sounds of it, this isn't necessary, just install the client tools which will allow you to connect to the server's database engine.

Just to clarify a little more...

When DBA's install "SQL Server" on a server machine, they usually ONLY install the database engine, that's it. No client tools, no SSMS, no thing (except the database engine). The database engine runs as a windows service.

SSMS is NOT the same as the database engine. SSMS is simply a GUI tool that allows you to connect to the database engine to control it. SSMS runs as a normal (windows) executable.

The people at your companies head office must have the SQL server installation disk. You are legally allowed to install SSMS from it on to any number of computers. Legally, you are not allowed (licensed) to install the database engine on another computer. It would be slightly better if you had the version of SSMS installed with your database engine because the free version of SSMS does not include all of the functionality that the paid for version has (like taking databases offline, Database Tuning Advisor, etc..).

I hope this clarifies the difference between the database engine and the graphical tool (SSMS) that you use to connect and control the database. If anything is unclear, let me know.

-George
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
My Blogs
SQLCop
"The great things about standards is that there are so many to choose from." - Fortune Cookie Wisdom

 

[iuianj07]

thanks gmmatros for the explanation and tips...

I have installed SSMS from the link you gave me.

I am now using SSMS and tried to connect to the server that has SQL Server, and for some reason, on the left side where you will see the SQL Server Object Explorer, that the icon for the server has a white cirle on it instead of the green light on the icon where you navigate through the SQL Server, what are the reasons that could have caused this, and how to fix it? Is this something that the DBA in the Main Office should configure for me?

Thank you for your help

 

[iuianj07]

and also when I go to:

Start - All Programs - Microsoft SQL Server 2008 -Configuration Tools - SQL Server Configuration Manager

There is nothing to view in the SQL Server Services area.

Have I installed SSMS incorrectly?

Thank you for your help...

 

[gmmastros]

The white circle you see on the icon basically means that at the time the icon was displayed, SSMS was not able to determine if the SQL Service (on the server itself) is actually running.

Can you expand the server node and see Databases, Security, Server Objects, etc....?



-George
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
My Blogs
SQLCop
"The great things about standards is that there are so many to choose from." - Fortune Cookie Wisdom

 

[iuianj07]

Hello,

Yes I can see Databases, Security, Server Objects, Replication and Management.

Is there a way for me to be able make the SQL Service on the server run?

Also is it okay that when I go to Start - All Programs - Microsoft SQL Server 2008 -Configuration Tools - SQL Server Configuration Manager

There is nothing to view in the SQL Server Services area?

Thank you for your assistance.

 

[iuianj07]

Hello,

Okay, so we got in touch with the DBA in the IT Department in our head office, and he gave me full rights on the SQL Server that we have...

I have a question though... why is it when I go to

Start - Programs - Microsoft SQL Server 2008 - Configuration Tools - SQL Server Configuration Manager


Then on SQL Server Services there are no items to show in this view?

Does this mean that I have installed SSMS wrong or incomplete?

Any help is greatly appreciated.