Server Types

  • Forgive this rather basic question, I've googled but no obvious answer.

    Using SSMS I can connect to different server types - ie Database Engine, Reporting Services etc

    Can anyone point me in the right direction to understand the difference between these and when I need them? For instance at the moment my ReportServer db is on the same instance as my transactional database.

    So where does a reporting services type server come into it.

    Thanks!

  • paul.doherty - Thursday, January 3, 2019 4:59 AM

    Forgive this rather basic question, I've googled but no obvious answer.

    Using SSMS I can connect to different server types - ie Database Engine, Reporting Services etc

    Can anyone point me in the right direction to understand the difference between these and when I need them? For instance at the moment my ReportServer db is on the same instance as my transactional database.

    So where does a reporting services type server come into it.

    Thanks!

    Most often for SSRS, you would use it If you want to create roles or if you want to check or change system settings.
    Often it's configuration settings for SSRS and other components which can be changed in config files but tends to be easier for many to check/change in SSMS.
    Connect to SSRS in SSMS and then right click on the server node (the highest level node of the ssrs connection) and select properties. You'll see all of the different settings and properties. Most of those are available in one of the config files but as I mentioned, it can be easier to check or change these in SSMS
    Best to tell is just connect to them all when the service is running and see what is available, exposed. Especially right click on the node for the service and select properties. What's available is going to be different for each component. 

    Sue

  • Thanks Sue - from my machine I can see the SSRS instance only the database engine. Do I need specific permissions? Thanks for your advice.

    Ant

  • paul.doherty - Friday, January 4, 2019 2:53 AM

    Thanks Sue - from my machine I can see the SSRS instance only the database engine. Do I need specific permissions? Thanks for your advice.

    Ant

    I've seen different solutions to that and never had the problem myself. A few of the suggestions I've seen -
    Try running SSMS as an administrator, make sure you have installed Management Tools - Complete (instead of Management Tools - Basic).
    I've also seen some who ran repair from setup. Some who have said you have to install SSDT but I don't think installing SSDT is the answer. It may update something that is needed. 

    Sue

  • Go through the below link to understand them better.
    https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/sql-server-technical-documentation?view=sql-server-2017

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