That is the database master key. It needs to be loaded into the server to open that database's keys for access.

So you need to make a backup of this key,...

Searching for an answer, but I don't think so. This is a db container, like other db containers, so it typically needs to be local.

there are options to integrate with...

Which key are you talking about? You need to get your semantics straight.

there is a Service Master Key (SMK) for the instance. Each database has a Database Master Key (DMK),...

I'm confused, are you looking to use HyperV and VMs for clustering?

Or just trying to lay out the drives for clustering?

There's nothing magic about SQL clustering. It sits on...

I'd be wary of instances, you need to really manage memory between them.

If you go VMs, you then get into resource issues, potentially. You can't necessarily put 4 VMs on...

Show some code here, and we'll help you out. Seeing results doesn't help me figure out what you're doing wrong.

From my view, what I see and read,

1. support is the big one.

2. some performance improvement in the core db engine.

3. Compression is EE only. Need to factor that in....

I hadn't heard this before. I'd love to see someone write an article the shares more about this.

It sounds like a good idea, though.

I'd agree with Denny. Go for the dev edition.

You could uninstall, but I think you'd need to delete things (not dbs), but files, and clean the reg to get it...

If you know some VB, VB.NET is easier, but it's still a paradigm change.

I'd go take a couple short online classes for VB.NET and C#. Invest a few hours, see...

First, please don't use all capitals. It's rude in English, and the equivalent of shouting at someone.

Second, you haven't provided enough information. There are any number of things it could...

I might be wrong, in fact I'd expect I am. I know Texas Memory and Fusion are pushing hard, and growing their products.

I have no idea who to believe in...

I haven't used it in 2005, and it might work much better. Never know how much work was done there between versions.

I'd still recommend you script the jobs, deploy them...

Closing

duplicate here:

What didn't work for you? I'd like to see you do some work here rather than just give you the answer.

A few hints: script the backup job (meaning the creation...