Run a MS Sql server in Linux

xmrkite · 10-05-2008, 02:52 PM

Hello, Currently, we run our office in windows only. Windows server, and windows clients. I want to switch that all to Linux.

The main holdup is our cms software which runs in .net and connects to a MS Sql server (the freebie version) on the windows 2k server.

Is there a way to run that same ms sql server software on a linux server so that I don't have to keep the windows server?

-Thank you

paulsm4 · 10-05-2008, 02:58 PM

Short answer: no.

You can run an emulator like wine, or run in a virtual copy of Windows with something like VMWare or VBox - but the results will be "sub optimal".

Microsoft SQL Server originally came from Sybase, and Sybase ran on non-Windows platforms (MS Windows didn't even exist at the time). But since then, it has been completely re-written - and optimized exclusively for Windows:

http://blogs.msdn.com/euanga/archive...19/514479.aspx

Quakeboy02 · 10-05-2008, 03:06 PM

Without a complete rewrite of your client software, you're pretty much married to Mr Softy - and that was the point of Windows from the very beginning.

xmrkite · 10-05-2008, 03:09 PM

OK, that sucks.

What about converting our software to something to run in linux? How much work is it to convert the ms sql db over to mysql, and then to convert the C# program made in .net over to something that will run in linux?

I'm no programmer, so i'd probably have to hire out to get it done.

What is the general recommended way that most companies use when they make the switch to linux from windows?

jlinkels · 10-05-2008, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xmrkite

Is there a way to run that same ms sql server software on a linux server so that I don't have to keep the windows server?

That not, but the most logical way seems to port the database to MySQL:

http://dev.mysql.com/tech-resources/...microsoft.html

Note that MySQL is one Linux alternative, one other which is often mentioned is PostgreSQL.

That doesn't solve your client side problem though.

jlinkels

Quakeboy02 · 10-05-2008, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlinkels

That not, but the most logical way seems to port the database to MySQL:

http://dev.mysql.com/tech-resources/...microsoft.html

Note that MySQL is one Linux alternative, one other which is often mentioned is PostgreSQL.

That doesn't solve your client side problem though.

jlinkels

Does mysql talk ".net"?

jiml8 · 10-05-2008, 08:46 PM

The mysql API is supposed to be compilable with Visual Studio, and therefore should be able to replace an MS SQL environment.

In fact, I myself am porting a major app of mine and I intend to support both mysql and mssql on the backend.

All that said, I am having a lot of trouble getting the mysql API to work in Windows. I have tried compiling both with VS and with mingw, and I don't have it working right yet. Rather frustrated by it right now, actually.

AuroraCA · 10-05-2008, 08:51 PM

The Linux application mono will run .NET applications and interface nicely with mySQL databases. You can see an outstanding application running .NET with mySQL in Windows and mono with mySQL in Linux at http://www.mindtouch.com Their application is an open source wiki called Mindtouch Deki.

jlinkels · 10-06-2008, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quakeboy02

Does mysql talk ".net"?

Do you mean that .NET has a special interface language with MSSQL? No SQL but something else?

jlinkels

xmrkite · 10-06-2008, 06:36 PM

So does Mono actually let you run a windows .net app? Would I use mono instead of Wine to run a .net program? My program didn't seem to run with Wine. That's why i'm asking.

-Thanks

chrism01 · 10-06-2008, 08:08 PM

You could migrate your DB to Linux/MySQL, then use the ODBC driver from MS clients, I think...
http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.0/...ctor-odbc.html

xmrkite · 10-06-2008, 09:56 PM

Well, for now, I want to do this without any changes in the db or frontend software if possible.

What would i use to run the .net app in linux and have it connect to the windows server? This way, i could just move one part at a time...get the clients over to linux, then worry about changing the server. I tried to open the program in wine, but it just gave me a very basic error saying it couldn't open. I installed .net runtime environment for windows in my wine install, but that didn't seem to make it work.

I'm all ears to any ideas

-Thanks

farslayer · 10-07-2008, 09:24 AM

Several options with Mysql.. ODBC is a good one, theres also a .NET connector..

http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/connector/

Quakeboy02 · 10-07-2008, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xmrkite

So does Mono actually let you run a windows .net app? Would I use mono instead of Wine to run a .net program? My program didn't seem to run with Wine. That's why i'm asking.

-Thanks

Here's a blurb about the latest release of mono. It has a link to the mono website, as well.

http://www.ddj.com/linux-open-source...PCKH0CJUNN2JVN

xmrkite · 10-07-2008, 01:21 PM

OK, so i'm a bit confused with this mono thing.

It seems to me that you take the source code of your .net program, and have the mono software analyze it. It tells you if you need to make any code changes. So you make the necessary changes, if any....and then what?

That's where i'm lost.

Or, is mono something you install just like wine, and all of a sudden, you can run those windows programs that utilize .net?

-Please clarify this one for me.
-Thanks