asked
Database server upgrade
All, Currently, i am using SQL SERVER 2008 Standard in our organisation. I wonder what factors should i consider to upgrade it to sql server 2008 r2? In other words, what factors drive in an organisation that enables us to think about upgrading a existing version of the database server. Thanks,
Regardless of the version you want to upgrade to, take a look at what features you currently use and what features are coming in the version you want to upgrade to. Take into consideration if there are any features that you currently miss, but are in the next version. Also consider if the Edition will stay the same or not (upgrade/downgrade). Some Enterprise only features of a current version get pushed down to Standard Edition (backup compression being a good example for 2008R2). I agree with @Håkan Winther, wait and upgrade to 2012. That is, if you can wait and if the new licensing plans don't clash with your company's policies.
I'm afraid that is a difficult subject. I work for a large company with a licensing contract with MS, so we pay different prices compared to other companies. If you don't have a contract with MS, you would need to speak to them directly or look at pricing from 3rd party resellers.
Brent Ozar and Denny Cherry have some good articles on the pricing changes.
@Shawn_Melton - there is no doubt some great info out there on the upcoming pricing changes with 2012. However, not everything there will be applicable to everyone. MS pricing policies are a mess at best. There are multiple possible prices for the same product, depending upon your/your company's affiliation/contracts with MS. With that in mind, @Katie 1 is probably best off talking to an MS representative about what is possible and what it will cost.
Personally I would wait for SQL server 2012. SQL server 2012 contains a lot more features that are useful and SQL server 2012 is scheduled to the beginning of 2012.
