Using your MS SQL 2005 database

How do I upgrade my MS SQL Server 2000 database to MS SQL 2005?
What level of permissions will my shared SQL Server user account have?
What tools can I use to manage MS SQL Server 2005 database?
Can I use SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Manager to manage my SQL Server 2005 database?
Does NetBenefit support SQL Server 2005 Service Broker?
Does NetBenefit support SQL Server 2005 Database Snapshots?
Does NetBenefit support SQL Server 2005 Notification Services?
Does NetBenefit support SQL Server 2005 Copy Database Feature?
Does NetBenefit support Import and Export of data?
Does NetBenefit support SQL Server 2005 Profiler (client access)?
Does NetBenefit support SQL Server 2005 XML integration?
Does NetBenefit support SQL Server 2005 Common Language Run-time (CLR) Integration?
Can I get a copy of my SQL Server 2005 database backup copied to my website?
How can I manage SQL 2005 databases using SQL Management Studio?
How do I add a .Net assembly to the server?
Where can I get visual studio.Net 2005 from?

1. How do I upgrade my MS SQL Server 2000 database to MS SQL 2005?

Please contact support to request your upgrade to MS SQL 2005. Once your order for the MS SQL 2005 service has been confirmed, we will contact you to coordinate a convenient time for the upgrade to take place. During the upgrade process your database will be unavailable as it is migrated across to our MS SQL 2005 server. back to top

2. What level of permissions will my shared SQL Server user account have?

The primary account will have 'DBO' (db_owner) access with a default schema of 'DBO'. back to top

3. What tools can I use to manage MS SQL Server 2005 database?

There are a few options. The best ones are:

Visual Web Developer Express Edition (free)
SQL Server Management Studio (part of SQL 2005)

SQL Server 2005 client components can be installed independently on a computer that connect directly to an instance of SQL Server 2005. The client components option installs the following SQL Server features:

Command prompt tools
Report Server tools
Connectivity components
Programming models
Management tools
Development tools
Books Online
Sample databases
Sample applications

It can be used to manage SQL server 2005 systems as well as SQL Server 2000, it CANNOT be used to manage SQL Server 7.0 databases. A valid license of SQL Server 2005 is required to install the tools. We suggest getting the cheaper developer version or the evaluation version.
back to top

4. Can I use SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Manager to manage my SQL Server 2005 database?

No unfortunately Microsoft have decided to force people to use the new GUI. You will need to obtain a copy from Microsoft.
back to top

5. Does NetBenefit support SQL Server 2005 Service Broker?

The minimum level of permissions required for clients to successfully setup and implement Service Broker is beyond the level of support we offer on our shared SQL servers. If you require this service, you should consider a Dedicated SQL Solution.
back to top

6. Does NetBenefit support SQL Server 2005 database snapshots?

We will not support Database Snapshots on our shared SQL servers because it is only available in the Enterprise Edition of Microsoft SQL Server 2005. We are currently running SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition on our shared SQL servers. If you require this service, you should consider a Dedicated SQL Solution.
back to top

7. Does NetBenefit support SQL Server 2005 notification services?

Deploying Notification Services instances and maintaining day-to-day operations require administrative permissions, therefore we will not support Notification Services on our Shared SQL servers. If you require this service, you should consider a Dedicated SQL Solution.
back to top

8. Does NetBenefit support SQL Server 2005 copy database feature?

To use the Copy Database Wizard, you must be a member of the sysadmin fixed server role on the source server, as well as on the destination server. Therefore, clients will be unable to copy their database using this feature. If you require this service, you should consider a Dedicated SQL Solution.
back to top

9. Does NetBenefit support import and export of data?

This is available using tools that support it. SQL Server Management Studio does support it although access to Management Studio requires a valid license of SQL Server 2005. There are tools coming out in November which are believed to support import/export features.
back to top

10. Does NetBenefit support SQL Server 2005 Profiler (client access)?

This feature will be available temporarily for client access per request, for troubleshooting that is deemed necessary. Please contact support for details.
back to top

11. Does NetBenefit support SQL Server 2005 XML integration?

This feature is supported and available for clients on our shared SQL servers.
back to top

12. Does NetBenefit support SQL Server 2005 Common Language Run-time (CLR) Integration?

We will support this feature in a SAFE_ONLY mode. Please note that NetBenefit reserves the right to turn this feature off for clients whose scripts are in any way detrimental to the running of the service.
For details on how to upload and add dlls to the database please read the support FAQ section.
back to top

13. Can I get a copy of my SQL Server 2005 database backup copied to my website?

Yes you can get a copy of your database backup placed on your website. There is an additional cost for this service. Please contact support requesting this mentioning the site that you want the backup placed on.
Note that we do already backup your database to another server daily. Copying a backup to web space is sometimes desired by administrators so that they can download an offline copy of the database for their own needs.
back to top

14. How can I manage SQL 2005 databases using SQL Management Studio?

This explains how to use SQL Management Studio to administer your SQL 2005 Database on our shared servers.
If you do not have a copy of Management Studio, you can obtain an evaluation copy from Microsoft by clicking here.
To manage your SQL 2005 database, follow these steps:
Open Management Studio.
Enter the following information:
Server type: Database Engine
Server name: the name of the SQL server provided in your setup email
Authentication: SQL Server Authentication
Login: the username provided in your setup email
Password: the password provided in your setup email
Click Connect.

Management Studio will then connect you to your SQL 2005 database and display the object browser in the left pane.
back to top

15. How do I add a .Net assembly to the server?

First of all, the .Net assembly needs to have been created using the .Net 2.0 framework found in Visual Studio 2005. The .Net code needs to have been compiled into a .dll or .exe file.
Then by connecting using SQL Management Studio, drill down into the databases folder and again into Programmability and assemblies.
Right click this folder and select new assembly.
Leave the assembly name and owner fields blank, but hit browse next to the assembly path.
Browse to the file on your local machine then select ok and ok again to add the assembly.
Please note you cannot change the permission set from safe as this is disabled in the server settings.
back to top

16. Where can I get visual studio.Net 2005 from?

The full version is available to buy from most e-tailers, but downloadable editions are listed below.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/vb/download/default.aspx - for VB express edition
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/visualcsharp/download/default.aspx - for VCS express edition
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/visualJ/download/default.aspx - for VJ# express edition

Please note that these downloads of express editions are free software until November 2006.
If there are any other editions you are looking for please ask.
back to top