Hello all,
I am a SQL Server DBA with approximately 20 years experience, and I am beginning the process of assuming control of my company's SAP BASIS responsibilities. I have a lot of questions with regard to SAP's architecture, in particular the DBMS environment, thanks for taking the time to read.
Our SAP database environment consists of two (2) VMs - one for production, one for QA and Development.
We are consuming a SQL Server 2012 Enterprise Edition license for both servers.
These licenses are included in our Microsoft Enterprise Agreement. The licenses were *not* purchased through SAP.
The Developer Edition of Microsoft SQL Server is functionally identical to the Enterprise Edition of Microsoft SQL Server.
See the below link, in particular this note at the top of the page:
"For features supported by Evaluation and Developer editions see the SQL Server Enterprise feature set."
Features Supported by the Editions of SQL Server 2012
I am trying to reduce the licensing costs incurred to support our SAP Development and QA environments. All the information I've been able to find ( including the information in SAP note 1491158 - Information about the Microsoft SQL Server license scope) has indicated that "Microsoft SQL Server Enterprise Edition is required for all SAP Business Suite / NetWeaver applications. Other SQL Server editions are currently not supported."
Given that the features and functions are *identical* between the Developer and Enterprise Edition as illustrated above, can anyone help me to understand why this requirement exists? What level of support would be lost if one were to utilize the Developer Edition of SQL Server to support the SAP Development / QA environment?
Any information or insight would be greatly appreciated.
-Steve