Is it possible to install 32-bit SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services on a 64-bit Computer/Windows OS while keeping the 64-bit version of the rest of SQL Server features?
The answer is yes!
Well, here's the story:
I recently installed SQL Server 2005 on a 64-bit Windows Server 2003 OS.
This was done within the context of setting up a test environment for an ASP .NET application. As the OS was a 64-bit architecture I installed the 64-bit version of SQL Server as well.
Though, the ASP .NET application was compiled on .NET Framework 1.1 and IIS 6.0 was setup to use this version of the .NET Framework. To this end, when the installation of the reporting services started, I got the message that it was not possible to install the 64-bit version of the SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services because of using .NET Framework 1.1 for IIS 6.0.
Though, SQL Server did not dissapoint me! :) With some simple steps, it was very easy to install the 32-bit version of the Reporting Services while keeping installed the 64-bit versions of the rest of SQL Server features (i.e. Database Engine, Analysis Services, etc).
The following MSDN Link provides excellent instructions on how to perform this!
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143293(SQL.90).aspx
Remark: The procedure is almost identical for SQL Server 2008 with the difference that when you are going to install Reporting Services, before starting the installation process, from within SQL Server 2008 Installation Center, click on "Options" and select the "x86" Processor Type", then click on "Installation" and after selecting "New SQL Server stand-alone installation or add features to an existing installation" install only Reporting Services.
Labels: Reporting Services, SQL Server, SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2008