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Choose the evaluation experience that is most relevant to your needs by selecting one of the two options listed below. The trial software is exactly the same while the supporting experience has been tailored to offer greater relevance for each profession. Before you download, view the System Requirements.
Are you responsible for installing, configuring, administering, or troubleshooting database platforms and business intelligence applications? Do you manage IT resources and implement databases?
Are you are responsible for testing, designing, integrating, or developing Web sites and application software solutions? Are you the architect for enterprise solutions and information systems?
Note: The download size varies from 890.9 MB to 1050 MB and can take longer than 30 minutes depending on the bandwidth of your high speed connection. Dial-up users are encouraged to order the dvd.
You can order the SQL Server 2005 Trial Software on DVD. This DVD is available in English for U.S.$5.99. Orders placed from outside the United States are subject to additional shipping fees and may be subject to additional import duties and taxes.
The SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition 180-day trial software is intended for evaluation and planning purposes only. If you plan to install the software on your primary machine, it is recommended that you back up your existing data prior to installation.
The following system requirements cover the SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition 180-day trial software on 32-bit and x64 platforms, as well as Itanium-based systems.
32-bit
x64
Itanium
Processor
600-megahertz (MHz) Pentium III-compatible or faster processor; 1-gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor recommended
1-GHz AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support processor or faster
1-GHz Itanium processor or faster
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server with Service Pack (SP) 4 or later; Windows 2000 Professional with SP 4 or later; Windows XP with SP 2 or later; Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition, Enterprise Edition, or Datacenter Edition with SP 1 or later; Windows Small Business Server 2003 with SP 1 or later; Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard x64 Edition, Enterprise x64 Edition, or Datacenter x64 Edition with SP 1 or later; Windows XP Professional x64 Edition or later running in Windows on Windows
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard x64 Edition, Enterprise x64 Edition, or Datacenter x64 Edition with SP 1 or later; Windows XP Professional x64 Edition or later
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based systems, all editions with SP 1 or later
Memory
512 megabytes (MB) of RAM or more; 1 gigabyte (GB) or more recommended
Hard Disk
Approximately 350 MB of available hard-disk space for the recommended installation
Approximately 425 MB of additional available hard-disk space for SQL Server Books Online, SQL Server Mobile Books Online, and sample databases
Drive
DVD-ROM drive
Display
Super VGA (1,024x768) or higher-resolution video adapter and monitor
Other Devices
Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device
Other Requirements
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1 or later
For Reporting Services, you need Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) 5.0 or later, and ASP.NET 2.0 or later
To review complete system requirements, visit the SQL Server 2005 System Requirements page.
SQL Server 2005 does not support the Banyan VINES Sequenced Packet protocol (SPP), Multiprotocol, AppleTalk, or NWLink IPX/SPX network protocols. Clients previously connecting with these protocols must select a different protocol to connect to SQL Server 2005.
SQL Server 2005 software works on hardware certified for use with the Microsoft Windows operating system.
Actual requirements will vary based on your system configuration and the applications and features you choose to install. Additional available hard-disk space may be required.
The time-limited release of the Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition 180-day trial software will expire 180 days after installation. Please refer to the product documentation before installing a fully licensed version of Microsoft SQL Server 2005.
The 180-day trial version of SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition can be upgraded to the fully licensed version of SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition without uninstalling the trial software prior to the end of the 180-day period. If upgrading to the fully licensed version of SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition, Workgroup Edition, or Developer Edition, it is recommended that you uninstall the 180-day trial version of SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition before installing the fully licensed version of the other editions. Please refer to the product documentation for information about upgrading to the fully licensed software.
