The personal database server   This executable does not support client/server communications across a network. Although the personal database server is provided for single-user, same-computer use—for example, as an embedded database server—it is also useful for development work.

On Windows operating systems, except Windows Mobile, the name of the personal server executable is dbeng11.exe. On Unix operating systems its name is dbeng11. Only the network server is supported on Windows Mobile.

The network database server   This executable supports client/server communications across a network, and is intended for multi-user use.

On Windows operating systems, including Windows Mobile, the name of the network server executable is dbsrv11.exe. On Linux and Unix operating systems, the name is dbsrv11.

Network protocol support   Only the network server supports communications across a network.

Number of connections   The personal server has a limit of ten simultaneous connections. The limit for the network server depends on your license. See Server Licensing utility (dblic).

Number of CPUs   With per-seat licensing, the network database server uses all CPUs available on the computer (the default). With CPU-based licensing, the network database server uses only the number of processors you are licensed for. In addition, the personal database server and runtime database server are both limited to a single processor.

Startup defaults   To reflect their use as a personal server and a network server for many users, the startup defaults are slightly different for each.