I’ve downloaded and had a look at the SQL Server 2005 Express Edition, which is the replacement for MSDE 2000. I’m no SQL expert or a developer by any stretch of the imagination, but for an IT Pro, SQL Server 2005 has a number of tools that I find interesting:
- SQL Server Configuration Manager. This tool enables you to configure SQL Server services and network configuration as well the SQL client. I noticed that all network protocols for SQL Server 2005 are disabled by default too. Top stuff.
- SQL Server Surface Area Configuration. This tool helps to secure the SQL Server instance/s.
- SQL Server Management Studio Express. This is the administration tool for SQL Server 2005. The best part I thought though, was that you can connect to earlier versions of SQL, as well as MSDE. Finally, a simple way to install the management tools for MSDE without having to grab the SQL Server CD.







