Considering a Hyper-V VPS

[OneApplications]

Hi all,

I currently have a Linux VPS with euk and this is running just fine. On the odd occasion when I have had problems, the euk support staff have been great and helped me to solve any issues.

I am in the process of working on an SQL Server 2008 client application and will be needing to host customer's databases on my own server. Obviously for this I will need a server running SQL Server 2008 and looking at the current offerings from euk it looks like the Hyper-V route maybe a good, reliable option.

I won't be using this server for any web hosting (I'll keep that on the L-VPS) so I'll not need a control panel or domain. I can add the server to my existing DNS. This will in effect just purely be a database server.

I just have a few questions...

1. What version SQL Server 2008 do you use on your Hyper-V servers?
2. If you use an Express edition is this installed as a 'named' or 'default' instance?
3. Do you think, as I'm a loyal euk customer, I may be able to get a bit of a discount??

Thanks in advance for any comments / suggestions.

Chris.

[Ryan]

Hi Chris,

I have answered all your questions as follows :-

1. What version SQL Server 2008 do you use on your Hyper-V servers?
:- We provide SQL Server 2005 Express or SQL Server 2008 Express edition on Hyper-V servers.

2. If you use an Express edition is this installed as a 'named' or 'default' instance?
:- SQL Server 2008 Express edition is installed as a default instance however this can changed to a 'named' instance later if you wish to. You can also specify a name to us before the installation.

3. Do you think, as I'm a loyal euk customer, I may be able to get a bit of a discount??
:- You can avail very good discounts with semi annual or annual billing terms on this new order. You get 6 months hosting for the price of 5 with semi annual billing and 12 months hosting for the price for 10 with annual billing. If you wish to choose monthly billing, I can offer you 5 % discount on this new order.

Please feel free to post if you have any more questions.

[OneApplications]

Thanks Ryan,

The fact that you install SQL Server as a default instance is a bonus because the DB setup script I use to install the databases assumes a default instance. The dynamic remote port model of named instances can be a real pain!

I'll have a think about it anyway and see what my options are. Assuming I want to go ahead with the order, what's the easiest way considering I'm an existing customer and you already have all my details? Should I just give the billing dept a shout?

Cheers,

Chris.

[Ryan]

When you decide to go ahead with the order, all you need to do is send in an email to sales or billing department from the primary email address of your account mentioning the name of the server you wish to order.

[OneApplications]

Hi,

Well I decided to go ahead with the order!

Only problem is that I ordered the Hyper-V-VPS 01 package two days ago and I'm still waiting for the welcome email!

I was told yesterday on Livechat that "someone is working on your server and it should be ready in a few hours". 24hrs later and still no welcome email and no update??

Is this length of setup time normal for Hyper-V?

[Ryan]

Hi Chris,

Your new Hyper-V server was setup yesterday itself and the welcome email was sent to the primary email address of your account after setup process was completed. We have now re-sent the welcome email. Please confirm whether you have received it or not.

[OneApplications]

Hi Ryan,

Yes I have just received it thanks. Defo didn't get anything yesterday though. Not to worry though. Things can't go 100% right 100% of the time I guess!

Whilst I'm on, I've just connected via RDP and was just wondering...

I have a 15GB partition for the OS by the looks of it and 15GB of unallocated space. I assume the best thing to do is create partitions in the unallocated space for all other data (such as website / databases etc)?

I'm completely new to Windows server (I'm used to Linux servers).

[eUKShane]

Hello,

I apologise for the inconvenience.
You can check the uptime of your server using uptime command. I have downloaded the command on C drive (Uptime is 1 Day 15 hours).

Also, I have partitioned and formatted un-partitioned space.

Let us know if you need any further assistance. We would be glad to assist you.

[OneApplications]

Thanks Shane,

I know how to partition the space, I just wondered if that space was free for me to partition however I wanted it basically or whether you'd simply forgotten to do it during the setup.

I assume if I wanted to, I'm free to delete the E: drive and just partition it how I see fit? Although to be honest I'll probably just leave it as a single drive!

One other quick question... Is it possible to install SQL Server Management Studio locally on the server? If so can this be installed seperately or does it need to be done during the install of SQL Server 2008?

Thanks for your help.

Chris.

[eUKShane]

Hello,

You are most welcome
Actually, we don't format un-partitioned space because sometimes clients want their own choice of partition schemes [D: E: .. etc] & they complain if it's already done. So better they do it on their own & as per their requirement

Yes, you can definitely delete the partition and create multiple partitions.

You have to install SQL server management studio separately. You can install it after SQL server 2008 installation or before, so that should not be a problem.

[OneApplications]

What's the easiest way to install SQL Server Management Studio 2008? I see lots of comments around on the net saying that it needs to be done during install because you need to install "SQL Server 2008 With Tools"?

There is a standalone installer for it but I can't download this on the server itself due to IE security settings.

So, in a nut shell, what's the quickest way of installing it?

Cheers,

Chris.

[eUKShane]

Hello,

I have downloaded "SQL Server® 2008 Management Studio Express" on the Desktop of your server. I have downloaded it from Download details: Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Management Studio Express URL.

This is the best method to install it. If you need any help with the installation then feel free to get back to us.

[OneApplications]

Thanks Shane! I'll give that a try later...

[OneApplications]

Hi Shane,

Well I gave that a try but it isn't like a standalone installer just for SQL Management Studio, it actually starts the SQL Server installer. I clicked on the option to "install a new instance or add features to and existing installation" but then it runs a check and fails because "Windows PowerShell" isn't installed.

Could one of your guys just have a quick look and try to install it for me? I'm sure for someone who's familiar with the SQL Server installer it will take 2 minutes!!

Thanks in advance,

Chris.

[eUKShane]

Hello,

Sure, I will install it for you and will get back to you as soon as it is done.

[eUKShane]

Hello,

I have installed Windows PowerShell on your server but still the installation is giving error. Seems like SQL Server 2008 is not installed properly. If there is no data on your server then I will reinstall it and will run a fresh installer of SQL server 2008 Management studio.

Also, which version of SQL server 2008 you would like to install (Express or standard or enterprise) ? We will install it for you and then you can add license for it afterwards.

Please get back to us so that we can quickly proceed with this.

[eUKShane]

Hello,

As per our chat discussion, we will reinstall your Hyper-V VPS and then install following applications on it :

- IIS7 with FTP
- SQL server 2008 Express Edition
- SQL server Management Studio

We will get back to you as soon as it is done.

Appreciate your patience and understanding.

[OneApplications]

Thanks! Much appreciated.

[Scott]

Hi,

I have re-created your Hyper-V VPS and installed following applications on it.

• IIS7 with FTP service.
• SQL server 2008 Express Edition.
• SQL server Management Studio.

Please let us know if you need any further help, we'll be happy to help.

[OneApplications]

Thanks Scott! I'll have a play...