A Comparison of SQL Server 2000 with DB2 v8.1

April 9, 2003

Introduction

Often people in newsgroups ask about a comparison of DB2 and Microsoft SQL Server. In this article I will compare SQL Server 2000 with DB2 Universal Database version 8.1 regarding price, performance, platforms supported, SQL dialects, and products limits.

Platform comparison

SQL Server 2000 only works on Windows-based platforms, including Windows 9x, Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows CE. In comparison with SQL Server 2000, DB2 Universal Database version 8.1 supports all known platforms, including Windows-based platforms, AIX-based systems, HP-UX systems, Linux Intel, Sun Solaris and so on.

Hardware requirements

To install SQL Server 2000, you should have Intel or compatible platforms and the following hardware:

Hardware	Requirements
Processor	Pentium 166 MHz or higher
Memory	32 MB RAM (minimum for Desktop Engine), 64 MB RAM (minimum for all other editions), 128 MB RAM or more recommended
Hard disk space	270 MB (full installation), 250 MB (typical), 95 MB (minimum), Desktop Engine: 44 MB Analysis Services: 50 MB minimum and 130 MB typical English Query: 80 MB

DB2 Universal Database v8.1 supports Windows-based platforms, AIX-based systems, HP-UX systems, Linux Intel, Sun Solaris and so on.

To install DB2 Universal Database v8.1 under the Windows-based platforms, you should have the following hardware:

Hardware	Requirements
Processor	Pentium or Pentium compatible CPU
Memory	RAM: 256 MB minimum, additional memory may be required.
Hard disk space	Typical installation: 350 Mb minimum Compact installation: 100 Mb minimum Custom installation: 100 Mb minimum. Additional disk space may be required on FAT drives with large cluster size.

To install DB2 Universal Database v8.1 under the UNIX Systems, such as AIX-based systems, HP-UX systems, Linux and Sun Solaris, you should have the following hardware:

Hardware	Requirements
Processor	For AIX: IBM RISC/6000 or eServer pSeries. For HP-UX: HP 9000 series 700 or 800 system. For Linux: Intel 32-bit, Intel 64-bit, S/390 9672 generation or higher, Multiprise 3000, eServer z-Series. For Solaris: Solaris UltraSPARC-based computer.
Memory	RAM: 256 MB minimum, additional memory may be required.
Hard disk space	Typical installation: 450 to 550 Mb minimum Compact installation: 350 to 400 Mb minimum Custom installation: 350 to 700 Mb minimum.

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