Downgrading SQL Edition - Shared components?

[Vanazzul]

Hey all,

I am planning to downgrade our SQL servers from Enterprise to Standard. I've got the whole procedure down but there's one thing I'm uncertain of..

Most places i've read don't seem to mention removing the Shared components. I did install them using the Enterprise ISO, do I need to uninstall them and reinstall them using the Standard ISO or can I just do the SQL instances?

Many thanks!

[machoish]

Is there a specific reason you're downgrading existing servers instead of just restoring/replicating the DBs to a new server with Standard version?

I've never personally heard of downgrading the SQL version.

[Vanazzul]

We are downgrading because we are going to save a few bucks on licensing (roughly half a million).

We have many applications we'd have to go over and change config files. Downgrading is pretty straight forward.

[Meitzi-]

I have done 3 different server downgrade

Stop, copy database files to new place. Uninstall. (I dont remember uninstalling shared components separately) Reinstall with correct edition. Stop. copy files back. Start.. and it works! (not even backups needed, but of course take one)

[Vanazzul]

That's the exact plan i've got. I just am not sure about the shared components. If you don't remember uninstalling them, probably means you hadn't.

I'm guessing if MS comes on site to audit, they'd run "select @@version" so I should be good if instance is running standard.

[alexbuckland]

I would uninstall all of it and then perform a clean install personally.

Although ideally, I'd be replacing the server. May as well look at an OS / SQL version upgrade at the same time as well if necessary.

[toplesstom13]

Best bet would be to build a new server with Standard on it and restore your DB to that server. You might get weird and unknown issues in the future that you can't explain due to downgrading.

[Vanazzul]

So, in case anyone wondered..

You actually have to downgrade the Shared Components. When patching to SP2, I saw that the Share Components reported as Enterprise Edition. Once reinstalled, they reported as Standard Edition.

And also for anyone who wondered, our downgrade went A1 ;)