What You Need to Use This Book

To follow this book, you will only need to have SQL Server 2005 installed. If you wish to learn how to administer the business intelligence features, you will need to have Analysis Services and the Integration Services component installed. You'll need a machine that can support the minimum hardware requirements to run SQL Server 2005. You'll also want to have the AdventureWorks and AdventureWorksDW databases installed. Some features in this book (especially in the high-availability part) require Enterprise or Developer Edition of SQL Server. If you do not have this edition, you will still be able to follow through some of the examples in the chapter with Standard Edition.