I'm used to work with SQL express edition with only one master machine on this small local network.
On one hand, I wander about the licensing rules on SQL server 2008 standard edition (running on Windows XP workstation) in our specific case. On the other hand, I need to set specific recovery procedure in case of master machine crash.
My configuration will be composed of 2 or 5 workstations running on WinXP machines in the same WORKGROUP (NO DOMAIN).
Mirroring should be needed for automatic fail-over. However we would rather use manual fail-over techniques to manage our-self the recovery procedure.
I would have only one database running at a time with automatic replication on this small workgroup network.
In case the master database machine crashes, another machine from this workgroup would restart and take the master role; setting IP to the previous master, launching SQL server instance, thus activating the mirroring on the other existing machines, ready for the other client machines on this workgroup network enabling database access.
The backUp machines for SQL Server replication are indeed client machines for the master database machine.
When the original master gets back (maintenance), setting IP to the previous backup machine that had taken the master role and becoming then a backUp for the new actual master machine.
In this configuration what should be passive or active license? This seems to be a standard replication handling. Any trouble about managing role changes in this configuration?
I think that 5 standard licences are required as mirroring procedure runs on each machine unless only one license is needed as only one active?
Most of the time this configuration runs internet less. Could this configuration runs without trouble about licencing control when roles are changed from one master machine to another backup machine?
Thanks in advance for your comments.
Kind regards
JNB