I'm I understanding the ArcGIS 10.1 help documentation correctly?
It's possible for ArcGIS for Desktop Standard 10.2 to create geodatabases in SQL express without ArcGIS server. If you expand beyond the limits of SQL express and install SQL Standard, you now need to install ArcGIS Server to be able to create (enterprise?) geodatabases .
A Standard or Advanced (but not Basic) Desktop seat can create an Express-based Desktop geodatabase for up to three clients. A Workgroup license is required for Express-based Workgroup geodatabases for up to ten clients.
Once you move away from SQL-Server Express, you're automatically in the domain of enterprise geodatabases, which require an ArcGIS Server license.
No, you don't need to have ArcGIS Server installed to create sde enterprise geodatabase. You just need to have a valid ArcSDE Enterprise license to create it.
A Standard or Advanced (but not Basic) Desktop seat can create an Express-based Desktop geodatabase for up to three clients. A Workgroup license is required for Express-based Workgroup geodatabases for up to ten clients.
Once you move away from SQL-Server Express, you're automatically in the domain of enterprise geodatabases, which require an ArcGIS Server license.
Thanks for the link Vince. The diagram will be very useful to explain to the managers.
Have a great weekend, Tony
Actually, to be honest, I find that diagram - if you are referring to the first image visible on the page Vince linked - rather unhelpful and kind of misleading.
It suggests that Desktop, Workgroup and Enterprise Geodatabase are somehow stacked on top of each other, with one supplementing the other like some sort of "extensions", or that they even "communicate" through each other.
This is not the case. You either have a Desktop, Workgroup, or Enterprise Geodatabase, not all at once. Essentially, and especially from a user perspective, the difference between the types of ArcSDE multi user geodatabases boils down to a different licensing scheme, allowing you to run more or less consecutive clients / connections against the geodatabase (3, 10 or limited by licensed hardware).
Technically, the differences between the multi user geodatabases are minimal though, except for a different means of authorizing your licensing scheme, and a few other differences.
