As mentioned on the Architecture page, SmartMaster is a server based system, running services on a server computer.
These services come from two places:
 | Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 (soon to be upgraded to 2012, which is currently running in beta release) |
| BTE SmartMaster server components. |
This page discusses the first one.
Microsoft SQL Server is an 'industrial strength', mature server product, used by many organizations. It is very secure, stable and scalable.
Microsoft's home page for the server can be found here:
http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/en/us/default.aspx
As you can see the software is about to be upgraded to version 2012. As soon as the product is released SmartMaster will be re-tested on version 2012, and this latest version will be the version of choice, barring unforeseen obstacles.
Microsoft SQL server comes in many editions. In most cases, SmartMaster will probably run on one the two editions: Standard and Express. To compare the two editions, please proceed as follows:
| Click on http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/en/us/product-info/compare.aspx |
| Click on Select links in Standard and Express boxes |
| Click on any category below edition boxes to see the differences between the two editions. |
As you can see there are many attributes to compare. Let me point out just a few:
| Number of CPUs and memory utilized - Standard edition runs faster, especially under heavier loads. |
| Maximum database size for Express edition is 10GB, while that for Standard edition is 524PB. Note: 1PB = 1,000 TB = 1,000,000GB. While 10GB is probably enough for the smallest and slowest of the systems, it is not enough for medium and larger systems, as well as systems collecting data at faster rates (for example, polling every 20 seconds vs. polling every 5 minutes). |
| Database Mail is not available in Express edition - this means systems running Express edition will not be able to generate remote notifications (e-mail, SMS). |
I would recommend you budget for Standard edition which costs around $1,000 (with 5 client access licenses, or CALs). While Express edition is free, it is somewhat restrictive. An alternative approach may be to start with Express edition, and then upgrade to Standard (or higher) edition if necessary. Higher editions have many more features, but are also more expensive. I am not sure higher editions will be needed to run SmartMaster in most cases.