Introduction
Often people in newsgroups ask about some comparison of Microsoft
SQL Server and Sybase Adaptive Server. In this article, I compare
SQL Server 2000 with Sybase Adaptive Server Enterprise 12.5
(Sybase ASE 12.5) 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, Sybase ASE 12.5 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 the 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 |
Sybase ASE 12.5 supports Windows-based platforms, AIX-based systems,
HP-UX systems, Linux Intel, Silicon Graphics, Sun Solaris and so on.
To install Sybase ASE 12.5 under the Windows-based platforms, you
should have the following hardware:
| Hardware | Requirements | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Pentium or Pentium compatible CPU | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Memory | 48 MB minimum for the Sybase ASE 12.5, plus memory for the operation system and other programs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hard disk space | Adaptive Server 12.5 110MB jConnect 4.5 4.5MB jConnect 5.5 4.5MB jutilities (Cascade Gateway, jisql, Ribo) 6MB jConnect documentation 0.5MB Open Client/C 133MB Monitor Client Library 4MB Monitor Server 12.5 3.5MB Historical Server 6MB Adaptive Server plug-in for Sybase Central 13MB Enhanced Full-Text Search 70MB EJB Server 420MB | Adaptive Server 12.5 | 110MB | jConnect 4.5 | 4.5MB | jConnect 5.5 | 4.5MB | jutilities (Cascade Gateway, jisql, Ribo) | 6MB | jConnect documentation | 0.5MB | Open Client/C | 133MB | Monitor Client Library | 4MB | Monitor Server 12.5 | 3.5MB | Historical Server | 6MB | Adaptive Server plug-in for Sybase Central | 13MB | Enhanced Full-Text Search | 70MB | EJB Server | 420MB |
| Adaptive Server 12.5 | 110MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| jConnect 4.5 | 4.5MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| jConnect 5.5 | 4.5MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| jutilities (Cascade Gateway, jisql, Ribo) | 6MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| jConnect documentation | 0.5MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Open Client/C | 133MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monitor Client Library | 4MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monitor Server 12.5 | 3.5MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Historical Server | 6MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adaptive Server plug-in for Sybase Central | 13MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Enhanced Full-Text Search | 70MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EJB Server | 420MB |
To install Sybase ASE 12.5 under the AIX-based systems, you should
have the following hardware:
| Hardware | Requirements | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | IBM RISC System 6000 32-bit, IBM RISC System 6000, Model S70, 64-bit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Memory | 64 MB for the Sybase ASE 12.5 (for IBM RS/6000 32-bit), 92 MB for the Sybase ASE 12.5 (for IBM RS/6000 64-bit), plus memory for the operation system and other programs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hard disk space | Adaptive Server 12.5 235MB jConnect 4.5 5.5MB jConnect 5.5 5.5MB jutilities (Cascade Gateway, jisql, Ribo) 6MB jConnect documentation 8MB Open Client/C 12.5 115MB Language Modules (Server 12.5) 2-7MB per language Language Modules (Open Client 12.5) 3-6MB per language Monitor Client Library 12.5 7.9MB Monitor Server 12.5 4MB Monitor Historical Server 12.5 6MB Enhanced Full-Text Search 75MB | Adaptive Server 12.5 | 235MB | jConnect 4.5 | 5.5MB | jConnect 5.5 | 5.5MB | jutilities (Cascade Gateway, jisql, Ribo) | 6MB | jConnect documentation | 8MB | Open Client/C 12.5 | 115MB | Language Modules (Server 12.5) | 2-7MB per language | Language Modules (Open Client 12.5) | 3-6MB per language | Monitor Client Library 12.5 | 7.9MB | Monitor Server 12.5 | 4MB | Monitor Historical Server 12.5 | 6MB | Enhanced Full-Text Search | 75MB |
| Adaptive Server 12.5 | 235MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| jConnect 4.5 | 5.5MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| jConnect 5.5 | 5.5MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| jutilities (Cascade Gateway, jisql, Ribo) | 6MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| jConnect documentation | 8MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Open Client/C 12.5 | 115MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Language Modules (Server 12.5) | 2-7MB per language | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Language Modules (Open Client 12.5) | 3-6MB per language | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monitor Client Library 12.5 | 7.9MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monitor Server 12.5 | 4MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monitor Historical Server 12.5 | 6MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Enhanced Full-Text Search | 75MB |
To install Sybase ASE 12.5 under the HP-UX systems, you should
have the following hardware:
| Hardware | Requirements | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | HP 9000/800 32-bit, HP 9000/800 64-bit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Memory | 64 MB minimum for the Sybase ASE 12.5 (for HP 9000/800 32-bit), 90 MB minimum for the Sybase ASE 12.5 (for HP 9000/800 64-bit), plus memory for the operation system and other programs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hard disk space | Adaptive Server 12.5 191MB jConnect 4.5 4.5MB jConnect 5.5 4.5MB jutilities (Cascade Gateway, jisql, Ribo) 6MB jConnect documentation 6MB Open Client/C 12.5 244MB Language Modules (Server 12.5) 2-7MB per language Language Modules (Open Client 12.5) 3-6MB per language Monitor Client Library 12.5 4MB Monitor Server 12.5 3MB Monitor Historical Server 12.5 6MB Enhanced Full-Text Search 70MB EJB Server 32-bit platforms only 420MB | Adaptive Server 12.5 | 191MB | jConnect 4.5 | 4.5MB | jConnect 5.5 | 4.5MB | jutilities (Cascade Gateway, jisql, Ribo) | 6MB | jConnect documentation | 6MB | Open Client/C 12.5 | 244MB | Language Modules (Server 12.5) | 2-7MB per language | Language Modules (Open Client 12.5) | 3-6MB per language | Monitor Client Library 12.5 | 4MB | Monitor Server 12.5 | 3MB | Monitor Historical Server 12.5 | 6MB | Enhanced Full-Text Search | 70MB | EJB Server 32-bit platforms only | 420MB |
| Adaptive Server 12.5 | 191MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| jConnect 4.5 | 4.5MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| jConnect 5.5 | 4.5MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| jutilities (Cascade Gateway, jisql, Ribo) | 6MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| jConnect documentation | 6MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Open Client/C 12.5 | 244MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Language Modules (Server 12.5) | 2-7MB per language | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Language Modules (Open Client 12.5) | 3-6MB per language | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monitor Client Library 12.5 | 4MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monitor Server 12.5 | 3MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monitor Historical Server 12.5 | 6MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Enhanced Full-Text Search | 70MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EJB Server 32-bit platforms only | 420MB |
To install Sybase ASE 12.5 under the Linux Intel platform, you should
have the following hardware:
| Hardware | Requirements | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Pentium II, 230 MHz or higher | ||||||||||||||||
| Memory | 50 MB minimum for the Sybase ASE 12.5, plus memory for the operation system and other programs. | ||||||||||||||||
| Hard disk space | Adaptive Server 12.5 115MB Sybase Common package 100MB Open Client/C 12.5 120MB Language Modules (Server 12.5) 2-7MB per language Language Modules (Open Client 12.5) 3-6MB per language Enhanced Full-Text Search 65MB Sybase-esql 4MB Sybase Openserver 45MB | Adaptive Server 12.5 | 115MB | Sybase Common package | 100MB | Open Client/C 12.5 | 120MB | Language Modules (Server 12.5) | 2-7MB per language | Language Modules (Open Client 12.5) | 3-6MB per language | Enhanced Full-Text Search | 65MB | Sybase-esql | 4MB | Sybase Openserver | 45MB |
| Adaptive Server 12.5 | 115MB | ||||||||||||||||
| Sybase Common package | 100MB | ||||||||||||||||
| Open Client/C 12.5 | 120MB | ||||||||||||||||
| Language Modules (Server 12.5) | 2-7MB per language | ||||||||||||||||
| Language Modules (Open Client 12.5) | 3-6MB per language | ||||||||||||||||
| Enhanced Full-Text Search | 65MB | ||||||||||||||||
| Sybase-esql | 4MB | ||||||||||||||||
| Sybase Openserver | 45MB |
To install Sybase ASE 12.5 under the Silicon Graphics platform, you
should have the following hardware:
| Hardware | Requirements | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | MIPS IV or higher | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Memory | 32 MB minimum for the Sybase ASE 12.5 (for SGI IRIX 32-bit), 64 MB minimum for the Sybase ASE 12.5 (for SGI IRIX 64-bit), plus memory for the operation system and other programs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hard disk space | Adaptive Server 12.5 245-270MB jConnect 4.2 5MB jConnect 5.2 5MB jutilities (Cascade Gateway, jisql, Ribo) 6MB jConnect documentation 8MB Open Client/C 12.5 117-130MB Language Modules (Server 12.5) 2-7MB per language Language Modules (Open Client 12.5) 3-6MB per language Monitor Server 12.5 3.9MB Monitor Historical Server 12.5 6.8MB Sybase Central 13MB | Adaptive Server 12.5 | 245-270MB | jConnect 4.2 | 5MB | jConnect 5.2 | 5MB | jutilities (Cascade Gateway, jisql, Ribo) | 6MB | jConnect documentation | 8MB | Open Client/C 12.5 | 117-130MB | Language Modules (Server 12.5) | 2-7MB per language | Language Modules (Open Client 12.5) | 3-6MB per language | Monitor Server 12.5 | 3.9MB | Monitor Historical Server 12.5 | 6.8MB | Sybase Central | 13MB |
| Adaptive Server 12.5 | 245-270MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| jConnect 4.2 | 5MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| jConnect 5.2 | 5MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| jutilities (Cascade Gateway, jisql, Ribo) | 6MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| jConnect documentation | 8MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Open Client/C 12.5 | 117-130MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Language Modules (Server 12.5) | 2-7MB per language | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Language Modules (Open Client 12.5) | 3-6MB per language | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monitor Server 12.5 | 3.9MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monitor Historical Server 12.5 | 6.8MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sybase Central | 13MB |
To install Sybase ASE 12.5 under the Sun Solaris, you should have
the following hardware:
| Hardware | Requirements | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Sun Solaris 32-bit, Sun Solaris 64-bit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Memory | 66 MB minimum for the Sybase ASE 12.5 (for Sun Solaris 32-bit), 92 MB minimum for the Sybase ASE 12.5 (for Sun Solaris 64-bit), plus memory for the operation system and other programs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hard disk space | Adaptive Server 12.5 155MB jConnect 4.5 4.5MB jConnect 5.5 4.5MB jutilities (Cascade Gateway, jisql, Ribo) 6MB jConnect documentation 0.5MB Open Client/C 12.5 SDK 183MB Language Modules (Server 12.5) 2-7MB per language Language Modules (Open Client 12.5) 3-6MB per language Adaptive Server Monitor Server 12.5 3.5MB Monitor Historical Server 12.5 6MB Monitor Client Library 12.5 4MB Enhanced Full-Text Search 70MB EJB Server 32-bit platforms only 420MB | Adaptive Server 12.5 | 155MB | jConnect 4.5 | 4.5MB | jConnect 5.5 | 4.5MB | jutilities (Cascade Gateway, jisql, Ribo) | 6MB | jConnect documentation | 0.5MB | Open Client/C 12.5 SDK | 183MB | Language Modules (Server 12.5) | 2-7MB per language | Language Modules (Open Client 12.5) | 3-6MB per language | Adaptive Server Monitor Server 12.5 | 3.5MB | Monitor Historical Server 12.5 | 6MB | Monitor Client Library 12.5 | 4MB | Enhanced Full-Text Search | 70MB | EJB Server 32-bit platforms only | 420MB |
| Adaptive Server 12.5 | 155MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| jConnect 4.5 | 4.5MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| jConnect 5.5 | 4.5MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| jutilities (Cascade Gateway, jisql, Ribo) | 6MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| jConnect documentation | 0.5MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Open Client/C 12.5 SDK | 183MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Language Modules (Server 12.5) | 2-7MB per language | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Language Modules (Open Client 12.5) | 3-6MB per language | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adaptive Server Monitor Server 12.5 | 3.5MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monitor Historical Server 12.5 | 6MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monitor Client Library 12.5 | 4MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Enhanced Full-Text Search | 70MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EJB Server 32-bit platforms only | 420MB |