Database types and descriptions (Windows SharePoint Services 3.0)

Applies To: Windows SharePoint Services 3.0

 

Topic Last Modified: 2009-06-22

In this article:

  • Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 deployed in a server farm environment

  • Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 deployed in a stand-alone environment

This article provides information about the database types and their descriptions, such as configuration, search, and content database. It provides details about the name, purpose, location, and restoration of databases that are created by using Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 in a server farm or stand-alone environment.

Note

The database names specified in the tables in this article are the default names for the databases. You can specify the name of the database, when you create it, except SharePoint_AdminContent_GUID database.

Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 deployed in a server farm environment

When installing Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, ensure that the database server is running Microsoft SQL Server 2005 or Microsoft SQL Server 2000 with the most recent service pack. The Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Setup program automatically creates the necessary databases when you install and configure Windows SharePoint Services 3.0.

After installation

The following table lists the name, purpose, location, and restoration information for databases that are created when you install Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 in a server farm environment.

Default database name Purpose Location

SharePoint_AdminContent_GUID

The content database is used to store all Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 content. Use the SharePoint Central Administration Web site to add new databases.

<install drive>\%COMMONPROGRAMFILES%\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.N\MSSQL\Data

SharePoint_Config

The configuration database contains most of the databases used, including all of the Internet Information Services (IIS) Web sites, Web applications, Web Part packages, and site templates.

<install drive>\%COMMONPROGRAMFILES%\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.N\MSSQL\Data

After starting the search service

The following table lists the name, purpose, location, and restoration information for databases that are created when you start the search service.

Default database name Purpose Location

WSS_Search_ComputerName

This database is used for the search services. It contains the required content for searching.
By using this database, Windows SharePoint Search services enables users to search all Web site content on the server.

<install drive>\%PROGRAMFILES%\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.N\MSSQL\Data

After creating a Web application

The following table lists the name, purpose, location, and restoration information for databases that are created when you create the Web application.

Default database name Purpose Location

WSS_Content

This database is used to contain the data specific to a Web application and its site collections. It contains the content data, such as the document uploaded to a list or a library. By default, a single content database will be created for each Web application. All new site collections added to a Web application use the same database.

<install drive>\%PROGRAMFILES%\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.N\MSSQL\Data

Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 deployed in a stand-alone environment

When you install Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 on a single server, run the Setup program by using the Basic option. This option uses the Setup program's default parameters to install Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 and Windows Internal Database. Windows Internal Database uses SQL Server technology as a relational data store for Windows roles and features only, such as Windows SharePoint Services, Active Directory Rights Management Services, UDDI Services, Windows Server Update Services, and Windows System Resources Manager.

After installation

The following table lists the name, purpose, location, and restoration information for databases that are created when you install Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 in a stand-alone environment.

Default database name Purpose Location

SharePoint_AdminContent_GUID

The content database is used to store all Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 content. Central Administration can be used to add new databases.

<install drive>\WINDOWS\SYSMSI\SSEE\MSSQL.2005\MSSQL\Data

SharePoint_Config

The configuration database contains most of the databases used, including all of the IIS Web sites, Web applications, Web Part packages, and site templates.

<install drive>\WINDOWS\SYSMSI\SSEE\MSSQL.2005\MSSQL\Data

WSS_Search

This database is used for search services. It contains the required content for searching. By using this database, Windows SharePoint Search services enables the users to search all the Web site content on the server.

<install drive>\WINDOWS\SYSMSI\SSEE\MSSQL.2005\MSSQL\Data

WSS_Content

This database contains the data specific to a Web application and its site collections. It contains the content data, such as the document uploaded to a list or a library. By default, a single content database will be created for each Web application. All new site collections added to a Web application use the same database.

<install drive>\WINDOWS\SYSMSI\SSEE\MSSQL.2005\MSSQL\Data

See Also

Concepts

General reference (Windows SharePoint Services)
Installation points for Windows SharePoint Services 3.0