sql server notification services: I see a need in my company to notify users of things so
notification services seems a good place to start. but
my question is what does the framework look like?

I have a server with 4 sql server 2000 databases on it.
all 4 represent different divisions of the company but
the schemas are the same. there is actually a 5th
database which combines all of the financial stuff from
the 5 into a holding-company which reports all of the
moneyh side.

my Question is, where do I install NS? Do I have to
install it 5 times, or can I just use one? Since the 4
databases in question all have the same schema, and a
user in db1 and db3 might both want to know when part 223
and part 441 respectively have been received into
inventory, do I have to write one ns application or 2?

also do I have to install ns on the sql server 2000 box
or can I use another box. if yes, does that other both
have to have sql server 2000 installed?

thank you,

Hi Joey -

SQLNS is installed on a server. The server can be the same server as SQL
Server or a different server, one with connectivity to a SQL Server.
Each server would have to have SQLNS installed on it.

You can create one or more applications to go with one or more instances
of SQLNS. Each SQLNS instance will have its own database that is created
when you build it; it's called the instance database
<instancename>NSMain. The instance database contains information for the
instance such as subscribers, devices, etc.

Each application associated with an instance has its own database
<instancename><applicationname>. It contains subscription information,
event information, etc.

As for your inventory example, one application would probably work.
Remember that subscriber information is stored in the instance database
so when a user in db1 wants to subscribe to something, his information
would be stored in the instance database. When he creates a subscription
to part 441, that information is stored in the application database.

If you have 4 different inventory databases with identical schemas, you
could create 1 event class and 4 different event providers. Or you may
create 1 event class and 1 event provider that gets information from all
4 databases. I suspect the first option would be more robust.

I'd encourage you to go through one or more of the sample apps included
with SQLNS. They'll help clear some things up for you.

HTH...
Joe Webb


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