SQL Server requirements

PI AF collectives have these SQL Server requirements:

• Two SQL Server instances are required, each on separate physical hardware.

• The PI AF SQL database computers can be in a workgroup or a domain. If the PI AF SQL database computers are in a workgroup, see PI AF collectives in a domain or workgroup.

• The primary PI AF server requires a non-Express Edition of a supported version of SQL Server. (Review the PI AF Release Notes for supported SQL Server Versions and Editions.)

• The secondary SQL Server computer can use the SQL Express edition, with limitations. Refer to Microsoft's web site for details.

• SQL Server Compact edition is not supported.

• It is not necessary to have the same SQL Server edition and version for all members of a collective, but it is recommended.

• SQL Server Agent must be running on the primary SQL Server computer.

• SQL Server Replication must be installed on the primary SQL Server computer; it is not required on the secondary collective members. If replication is subsequently added or installed, you must restart SQL Server Agent to prevent errors.

• When the SQL Agent is run under a domain account and the primary AF database server is 64-bit SQL Server, you must configure the C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\COM\ folder on the primary AF database server to allow read/write access to the SQL Agent domain account.

• PI AF collectives are not be supported in AF Server 2024 R2 if one of the supported cloud database platforms have been configured to deploy and manage your AF database. If AF Server 2024 R2 is configured to use the on-premise edition of SQL, PI AF collectives are supported and will work. If you have opted to use Azure SQL Database, PI AF collectives will be blocked at creation and not work.