Is there any safe way to use VS 7 on a production server?

I am trying to install Microsoft's reporting services but have found that it will not install on a computer that does not have the full version of SQL installed nor will it install on a server that does not have Visual Studio installed.

Unless I am missing something it seems that it can only be installed on a server with SQL. I have also read that it is not safe to install VS 7 on a production server and I am inclined to believe it. So I guess my question is ... is that true?

If so I guess the only option is to have a test server (another server license) with the full version of SQL Server installed (again another license).

Any comments or suggestions?

It doesn't need Visual Studio although it may need the framework. It most definately needs SQL Server, after all it is SQL Server Reporting Services. In fact it is a part of SQL Server. I have and am running it on a machine with just SQL server and the remote debugging parts of VS (a small bit and the framework).

Hmm the server I tried it on has the .Net redistributable on it but not the full framework. Do you think that could be the problem? This is the error I receive

http://www.liberty1st.org/images_hm/rpscreen.jpg

The error is a little confusing because I am only installing report designer but it indicates that I can continue without installing it. What else gets installed?

Quote:

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It most definately needs SQL Server, after all it is SQL Server Reporting Services. In fact it is a part of SQL Server.

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I originally thought the reporting services would work on a workstation that had the MSDE installed locally as long as I had a remote connection to SQL Server. However It doesn't work that way.

Well I just went a head and hit the continue button and it looks as though it installed and is working correctly.

I am assuming that since the Report Designer is on a different machine then Visual Studio is I can't use it like I can Crystal Reports inside VS.

I think I just found the answer to my question here: How to Obtain Reporting Services

Install Microsoft Visual Studio® .NET 2003 if you don’t already have it. To use Report Designer, the design mode of Reporting Services, you will need Visual Studio .NET 2003 (any edition). For more information about obtaining Visual Studio .NET, visit the Visual Studio .NET website.

Yes that is correct the Report Designer requires VS.NET but it also doesn't have to be on the same machine as the server. For the serving part the Designer and VS are not required.