Upgrade from SQL Server 2000 to SQL Server 2005

Pros and cons, issues and bugs?

[UKMarkM]

We will be moving our sites to a new server in the next few months, we are currently running Small Business Server 2000 (Windows 2000 Server + SQL Server 2000), we now have a choice, move to Windows 2003 Server and SQL Server 2005 or Windows 2003 Server and SQL Server 2000. We are unsure at the moment which way to jump, would really appreciate peoples experiences and thoughts, with regard to new features of Windows 2003/SQL 2005 and also migration/upgrade of SQL 2000 to SQL 2005, plus I suppose cost of licensing too.

[aspdaddy]

I have decided to stay on 2000 for now, if you read SQLMag or anything like that most people think it'l take up to 2 years or so to iron out all the bugs so for a production environment 2000 is more stable and predictable.

I installed the demo version of 2005 and its a completely different development environment, replaces EM and is more like developing in Visual studio so lots of pros there but the cons well the installation footprint is massive compared to SQL2K and you need .NET and everything installed.

The features are obviously better in 2005 but theres nothing really that most web/office apps desparately need, some better security features.

Licences - whichever version you choose to install you will be licenced for 2005, you just need to purchase the disk kits for 2000. If you pay an extra 29% and get software assurance you will be future proffed for the new versions later on. Depending on what you need to licence, a processor licence and/or external connector licence may now be cheaper than individual user CALS. Or you can buy a server licence and a few CALS and then upgrade to a proc licence if needed.

Definetly go with Win 2k3, but maybe hold back for a updated version of SQL2005.

[stajer]

I would agree with asp about waiting for a year or two while they work out all the bugs in SQL 2K5. DB is too mission critical to use anything less than 100% stable.

I am chimming in, however, because our developers have been playing with 2K5 to see what it is like and they are impressed. They see significant speed improvements over SQL 2K.

I have seen the new "Management Studio" (the new term for EM and like it alot. I tried to use it to manage old 2K db's, but no dice.

Anyway, I am looking forward to it!

[aspdaddy]

Yes the management studio is long awaited, and does look great. its bad though that so many of us had to buy visual studio because EM was so bad for developing.

[UKMarkM]

OK, thats the 'staying with SQL Server 2000' camp, thanks for your views/experiences I really appreciate it. Anyone out there who's made the transition to SQL Server 2005?, I would be very interested in your experiences.