Understanding SQL Server instances

With Microsoft^® SQL Server^®, you can operate multiple copies of SQL Server simultaneously. Each of these operating copies is known as an instance.

An instance operates independently from other SQL Server instances. With Sage Estimating , you can set up multiple databases within a single instance. A single server can have hundreds of instances of SQL Server. Each instance, in turn, can have hundreds of databases.

The allowable database size in SQL Server is unlimited. However, if you are operating SQL Server Express, the database size is limited to 10 gigabytes (GB). Sage Estimating provides you with a warning if your database size nears the limit and prompts you to create a new database.

The number of allowable databases per instance in SQL Server and SQL Server Express is unlimited.

IMPORTANT: Because of formatting considerations for your data, you must store your address book and estimate information in separate databases.