Not Null In Sql Server
is a constraint that ensures a column does not accept null values, crucial for data integrity. At rental-server.net, we understand the importance of robust database design. This comprehensive guide dives deep into the NOT NULL
constraint, its benefits, and how it enhances database reliability. We’ll explore practical examples, best practices, and advanced techniques to help you master this essential SQL Server feature. Discover how ensuring data integrity through NOT NULL
can lead to more efficient and reliable server operations.
1. What Does “Not Null In SQL Server” Mean?
Not Null in SQL Server
is a constraint applied to a column within a database table, enforcing that the column must always contain a value and cannot be left empty or undefined. In simpler terms, it ensures that a specific field in your database always has data, preventing it from being NULL
.
1.1. Why Use Not Null
?
The NOT NULL
constraint plays a crucial role in maintaining data integrity within a SQL Server database. Data integrity refers to the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data stored in a database. By preventing NULL
values in critical columns, NOT NULL
helps ensure that your data is meaningful and complete.
Here’s why you should consider using NOT NULL
:
- Ensuring Data Integrity: It prevents incomplete or missing data in columns where values are essential, thus upholding the reliability of the database.
- Avoiding Unexpected Errors: By making sure essential fields are populated, it helps to avert errors or unexpected behaviors in applications using this database.
- Improving Query Performance: Databases can process queries more efficiently when they don’t have to account for
NULL
values in critical fields.
1.2. Understanding Null
Values
To fully grasp the importance of NOT NULL
, it’s essential to understand what NULL
represents. NULL
is not the same as zero or an empty string. Instead, it signifies that a value is unknown, missing, or not applicable. It is crucial to handle NULL
values correctly to avoid unexpected behavior in your SQL queries and applications.
NULL
vs. Zero: Zero is a numeric value, whileNULL
indicates the absence of any value.NULL
vs. Empty String: An empty string (“”) is a valid string value, whereasNULL
represents the absence of a string or any other value.- Impact on Calculations: Any arithmetic operation involving
NULL
typically results inNULL
. For example,5 + NULL
will returnNULL
. - Comparison Issues: You cannot directly compare a value to
NULL
using=
or!=
. Instead, useIS NULL
orIS NOT NULL
.
1.3. Real-World Examples of Not Null
Consider a database for an e-commerce platform. Columns like CustomerID
, ProductID
, and OrderDate
in an Orders
table should never be NULL
. Without these values, an order record would be incomplete and practically useless. By applying the NOT NULL
constraint to these columns, you ensure that every order recorded has the necessary information.
- Example 1: Customer Information
- In a
Customers
table, theCustomerID
field should beNOT NULL
. Each customer must have a unique identifier.
- In a
- Example 2: Product Details
- In a
Products
table, theProductName
andPrice
fields should beNOT NULL
. A product without a name or price is not useful for sales.
- In a
- Example 3: Order Management
- In an
Orders
table, theOrderID
,CustomerID
, andOrderDate
fields should beNOT NULL
. An order without these details is incomplete and cannot be processed.
- In an
2. How to Implement Not Null
in SQL Server
Implementing the NOT NULL
constraint in SQL Server is straightforward. You can define it when creating a new table or add it to an existing table using the ALTER TABLE
statement.
2.1. Creating a Table with Not Null
Constraints
When creating a new table, you can specify the NOT NULL
constraint directly in the column definition. This ensures that the constraint is enforced from the moment the table is created.
CREATE TABLE Employees (
EmployeeID INT NOT NULL,
FirstName VARCHAR(50) NOT NULL,
LastName VARCHAR(50) NOT NULL,
Email VARCHAR(100),
JoinDate DATE NOT NULL
);
In this example, the EmployeeID
, FirstName
, LastName
, and JoinDate
columns are defined with the NOT NULL
constraint. This means that every record inserted into the Employees
table must have a value for these columns.
2.2. Adding Not Null
Constraints to Existing Tables
To add a NOT NULL
constraint to an existing table, you use the ALTER TABLE
statement with the ALTER COLUMN
clause. Before adding the constraint, ensure that the column does not contain any NULL
values.
ALTER TABLE Employees
ALTER COLUMN Email VARCHAR(100) NOT NULL;
However, if the Email
column contains NULL
values, you must first update these values with a valid entry before adding the NOT NULL
constraint.
UPDATE Employees
SET Email = '[email protected]'
WHERE Email IS NULL;
ALTER TABLE Employees
ALTER COLUMN Email VARCHAR(100) NOT NULL;
By updating the NULL
values with a placeholder, you can then successfully add the NOT NULL
constraint to the Email
column.
2.3. Syntax and Options
The basic syntax for adding a NOT NULL
constraint is:
- During Table Creation:
CREATE TABLE TableName (
ColumnName DataType NOT NULL,
...
);
- Adding to Existing Table:
ALTER TABLE TableName
ALTER COLUMN ColumnName DataType NOT NULL;
When altering a column, you must specify the data type again along with the NOT NULL
constraint.
2.4. Best Practices for Implementation
When implementing NOT NULL
constraints, consider the following best practices:
- Plan Ahead: Identify columns that should never contain
NULL
values during the database design phase. - Clean Existing Data: Before adding a
NOT NULL
constraint to an existing column, clean up anyNULL
values. - Use Default Values: Consider using default values for columns with
NOT NULL
constraints to ensure a value is automatically assigned if none is provided during insertion.
ALTER TABLE Employees
ADD CONSTRAINT DF_Email DEFAULT '[email protected]' FOR Email;
ALTER TABLE Employees
ALTER COLUMN Email VARCHAR(100) NOT NULL;
2.5. Practical Examples
Let’s look at a few practical examples of how to implement NOT NULL
in different scenarios:
- Scenario 1: Ensuring Unique Identifiers
CREATE TABLE Products (
ProductID INT PRIMARY KEY NOT NULL,
ProductName VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL,
Price DECIMAL(10, 2) NOT NULL
);
Here, ProductID
is the primary key and cannot be NULL
, ensuring each product has a unique identifier.
- Scenario 2: Validating User Input
CREATE TABLE Users (
UserID INT PRIMARY KEY NOT NULL,
Username VARCHAR(50) NOT NULL,
Password VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL,
Email VARCHAR(100) NOT NULL
);
In this case, Username
, Password
, and Email
are all NOT NULL
, ensuring that user accounts always have these essential details.
- Scenario 3: Tracking Transaction Details
CREATE TABLE Transactions (
TransactionID INT PRIMARY KEY NOT NULL,
CustomerID INT NOT NULL,
TransactionDate DATETIME NOT NULL,
Amount DECIMAL(10, 2) NOT NULL
);
The Transactions
table requires CustomerID
, TransactionDate
, and Amount
to be NOT NULL
, guaranteeing that every transaction record is complete.
3. Benefits of Using Not Null
Constraints
Using NOT NULL
constraints offers several significant advantages for your SQL Server databases.
3.1. Data Integrity
The primary benefit of NOT NULL
constraints is ensuring data integrity. By preventing NULL
values in critical columns, you ensure that the data in your database is complete, accurate, and reliable. This is crucial for making informed decisions and preventing errors in applications that rely on this data.
- Completeness: Ensures all essential fields are populated.
- Accuracy: Reduces the risk of incorrect data due to missing values.
- Reliability: Provides confidence in the data for reporting and analysis.
3.2. Improved Query Performance
When a column is defined as NOT NULL
, SQL Server can optimize query execution plans more effectively. The database engine knows that it does not need to check for NULL
values in these columns, which can speed up query processing.
- Reduced Overhead: Eliminates the need to check for
NULL
values during query execution. - Optimized Indexes: Allows for more efficient index usage, as indexes do not need to account for
NULL
values. - Faster Joins: Improves the performance of join operations, especially when joining on
NOT NULL
columns.
3.3. Reduced Application Errors
NULL
values can often lead to unexpected behavior in applications. By using NOT NULL
constraints, you can reduce the likelihood of encountering NullReferenceException
errors or other issues related to unhandled NULL
values.
- Fewer Exceptions: Prevents
NullReferenceException
errors in application code. - Consistent Behavior: Ensures consistent data handling across different parts of the application.
- Easier Debugging: Simplifies debugging by ensuring that essential fields always have values.
3.4. Enforced Business Rules
NOT NULL
constraints can be used to enforce business rules at the database level. For example, if your business requires every customer to have a valid email address, you can enforce this rule by adding a NOT NULL
constraint to the Email
column in the Customers
table.
- Mandatory Fields: Ensures that all required fields are filled in.
- Data Validation: Enforces data validation rules at the database level.
- Compliance: Helps meet regulatory requirements by ensuring critical data is always present.
3.5. Better Data Quality
By preventing NULL
values, NOT NULL
constraints contribute to better overall data quality. High-quality data is essential for accurate reporting, reliable analysis, and effective decision-making.
- Clean Data: Ensures that data is free from missing or undefined values.
- Consistent Data: Promotes consistency in data entry and storage.
- Reliable Data: Enhances the reliability of data for business intelligence and analytics.
4. Advanced Techniques and Considerations
While implementing NOT NULL
constraints is generally straightforward, there are some advanced techniques and considerations to keep in mind.
4.1. Using Default Constraints with Not Null
Combining NOT NULL
constraints with default constraints can be a powerful way to ensure data integrity. A default constraint specifies a default value for a column if no value is provided during insertion.
CREATE TABLE Products (
ProductID INT PRIMARY KEY NOT NULL,
ProductName VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL,
Price DECIMAL(10, 2) NOT NULL DEFAULT 0.00
);
In this example, the Price
column has both a NOT NULL
constraint and a default constraint of 0.00
. If a new product is added without specifying a price, the Price
column will automatically be set to 0.00
.
4.2. Handling Legacy Data
When working with legacy databases, you may encounter tables with columns that contain NULL
values but should not. Before adding NOT NULL
constraints to these columns, you must clean up the existing data.
-- Identify NULL values
SELECT *
FROM Employees
WHERE Email IS NULL;
-- Update NULL values with a placeholder
UPDATE Employees
SET Email = '[email protected]'
WHERE Email IS NULL;
-- Add NOT NULL constraint
ALTER TABLE Employees
ALTER COLUMN Email VARCHAR(100) NOT NULL;
4.3. Performance Implications
While NOT NULL
constraints generally improve query performance, there are some scenarios where they can have a negative impact. For example, adding a NOT NULL
constraint to a large table can take a significant amount of time, especially if the table contains many NULL
values that need to be updated.
- Indexing: Ensure that columns with
NOT NULL
constraints are properly indexed to optimize query performance. - Data Types: Choose the appropriate data types for columns with
NOT NULL
constraints to minimize storage space and improve performance. - Maintenance: Regularly maintain your database to ensure that indexes are up-to-date and that statistics are accurate.
4.4. Considerations for Distributed Systems
In distributed database systems, NOT NULL
constraints can help ensure data consistency across different nodes. By enforcing data integrity at the database level, you can reduce the risk of data discrepancies and synchronization issues.
- Replication: Use
NOT NULL
constraints to ensure that data is replicated correctly across different nodes. - Partitioning: Ensure that
NOT NULL
constraints are applied consistently across different partitions. - Synchronization: Implement robust synchronization mechanisms to handle data updates and ensure data consistency.
4.5. Case Sensitivity
The NOT NULL
constraint is not case-sensitive. This means that you can use either NOT NULL
or not null
when defining the constraint.
4.6. Verifying Constraints
After adding a NOT NULL
constraint, you can verify that it has been applied correctly by using the sp_help
stored procedure or by querying the system catalog views.
-- Using sp_help
EXEC sp_help 'Employees';
-- Querying system catalog views
SELECT name, is_nullable
FROM sys.columns
WHERE object_id = OBJECT_ID('Employees');
These methods allow you to confirm that the NOT NULL
constraint is in place and is being enforced by SQL Server.
5. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even with a clear understanding of NOT NULL
constraints, it’s easy to make mistakes. Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them:
5.1. Trying to Add NOT NULL
to a Column with Existing NULL
Values
Mistake: Attempting to add a NOT NULL
constraint to a column that already contains NULL
values will result in an error.
Solution: Before adding the constraint, update or replace all NULL
values in the column.
-- Identify NULL values
SELECT *
FROM Employees
WHERE Email IS NULL;
-- Update NULL values
UPDATE Employees
SET Email = '[email protected]'
WHERE Email IS NULL;
-- Add NOT NULL constraint
ALTER TABLE Employees
ALTER COLUMN Email VARCHAR(100) NOT NULL;
5.2. Forgetting to Specify Data Type When Altering a Column
Mistake: When using ALTER TABLE
to add a NOT NULL
constraint, forgetting to specify the data type of the column.
Solution: Always include the data type when altering a column.
-- Correct syntax
ALTER TABLE Employees
ALTER COLUMN Email VARCHAR(100) NOT NULL;
-- Incorrect syntax (will result in an error)
-- ALTER TABLE Employees
-- ALTER COLUMN Email NOT NULL;
5.3. Overlooking Business Requirements
Mistake: Failing to identify all columns that should never contain NULL
values based on business requirements.
Solution: Work with business stakeholders to understand data requirements and identify all columns that should be NOT NULL
.
5.4. Ignoring Default Values
Mistake: Not considering the use of default values in conjunction with NOT NULL
constraints.
Solution: Use default values to ensure that a column always has a meaningful value, even if one is not explicitly provided during insertion.
ALTER TABLE Products
ADD CONSTRAINT DF_Price DEFAULT 0.00 FOR Price;
ALTER TABLE Products
ALTER COLUMN Price DECIMAL(10, 2) NOT NULL;
5.5. Not Testing After Implementation
Mistake: Failing to test the application after adding NOT NULL
constraints.
Solution: Thoroughly test all application features that interact with the modified tables to ensure that the new constraints do not introduce any unexpected behavior.
5.6. Incorrectly Using IS NULL
and IS NOT NULL
Mistake: Using comparison operators (=
or !=
) to check for NULL
values.
Solution: Always use IS NULL
or IS NOT NULL
to check for NULL
values.
-- Correct syntax
SELECT *
FROM Employees
WHERE Email IS NULL;
SELECT *
FROM Employees
WHERE Email IS NOT NULL;
-- Incorrect syntax (will not work as expected)
-- SELECT *
-- FROM Employees
-- WHERE Email = NULL;
-- SELECT *
-- FROM Employees
-- WHERE Email != NULL;
6. Alternatives to Not Null
Constraints
While NOT NULL
constraints are essential for data integrity, there are alternative approaches and complementary techniques that can be used to manage missing or incomplete data.
6.1. Default Constraints
As mentioned earlier, default constraints can be used to provide a default value for a column if no value is specified during insertion. This ensures that the column always has a meaningful value, even if it is not explicitly provided.
ALTER TABLE Products
ADD CONSTRAINT DF_Price DEFAULT 0.00 FOR Price;
6.2. Check Constraints
Check constraints allow you to define custom validation rules for the data in a column. This can be used to ensure that the data meets specific criteria, even if it is not NULL
.
ALTER TABLE Employees
ADD CONSTRAINT CK_Email CHECK (Email LIKE '%@%.%');
In this example, the check constraint ensures that the Email
column contains a valid email address format.
6.3. Triggers
Triggers are special stored procedures that automatically execute in response to certain events, such as inserting, updating, or deleting data. Triggers can be used to enforce complex data validation rules and to handle missing or incomplete data.
CREATE TRIGGER TR_Employees_Insert
ON Employees
INSTEAD OF INSERT
AS
BEGIN
-- Check if required fields are NULL
IF EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM inserted WHERE FirstName IS NULL OR LastName IS NULL)
BEGIN
-- Raise an error
RAISERROR('FirstName and LastName cannot be NULL', 16, 1)
-- Rollback the transaction
ROLLBACK TRANSACTION
RETURN
END
-- Insert the data
INSERT INTO Employees (FirstName, LastName, Email)
SELECT FirstName, LastName, Email
FROM inserted
END;
6.4. Application-Level Validation
Data validation can also be performed at the application level. This involves writing code in your application to validate the data before it is inserted into the database. Application-level validation can provide more flexibility and control over the validation process, but it is important to ensure that the validation rules are consistently enforced across all parts of the application.
6.5. Using Stored Procedures for Data Insertion
Stored procedures can be used to encapsulate data validation and insertion logic. This can help ensure that data is consistently validated and inserted correctly.
CREATE PROCEDURE InsertEmployee
@FirstName VARCHAR(50),
@LastName VARCHAR(50),
@Email VARCHAR(100)
AS
BEGIN
-- Check if required fields are NULL
IF @FirstName IS NULL OR @LastName IS NULL
BEGIN
-- Raise an error
RAISERROR('FirstName and LastName cannot be NULL', 16, 1)
-- Return
RETURN
END
-- Insert the data
INSERT INTO Employees (FirstName, LastName, Email)
VALUES (@FirstName, @LastName, @Email)
END;
6.6. Combining Techniques
In many cases, the best approach is to combine multiple techniques to ensure data integrity. For example, you might use NOT NULL
constraints to enforce basic data integrity rules, default constraints to provide default values, and application-level validation to enforce more complex business rules.
7. Not Null
and Indexing
The interaction between NOT NULL
constraints and indexing can significantly impact database performance. Here’s how:
7.1. Benefits of Indexing NOT NULL
Columns
- Improved Query Performance: Indexing
NOT NULL
columns allows SQL Server to optimize query execution plans, leading to faster data retrieval. - Efficient Data Access: Indexes provide a quick way to locate specific rows in a table, especially when filtering on
NOT NULL
columns. - Reduced I/O Operations: By using indexes, SQL Server can reduce the number of I/O operations required to retrieve data, improving overall performance.
7.2. Types of Indexes
- Clustered Indexes: Determine the physical order of data in a table. A table can have only one clustered index.
- Non-Clustered Indexes: Stored separately from the data and contain pointers to the data rows. A table can have multiple non-clustered indexes.
7.3. Creating Indexes on NOT NULL
Columns
-- Create a non-clustered index on the LastName column
CREATE INDEX IX_Employees_LastName
ON Employees (LastName);
-- Create a clustered index on the EmployeeID column
CREATE CLUSTERED INDEX IX_Employees_EmployeeID
ON Employees (EmployeeID);
7.4. Considerations for Indexing Strategy
- Selectivity: Choose columns with high selectivity (i.e., columns with many distinct values) for indexing.
- Query Patterns: Analyze query patterns to identify columns that are frequently used in
WHERE
clauses or join conditions. - Index Maintenance: Regularly maintain indexes to ensure they are up-to-date and optimized.
7.5. Impact of NULL
Values on Indexes
NULL
values can impact the effectiveness of indexes. SQL Server treats NULL
values differently than other values, which can affect index usage. By using NOT NULL
constraints, you can simplify index management and improve performance.
7.6. Filtered Indexes
Filtered indexes allow you to create indexes on a subset of rows in a table. This can be useful when you want to index only the rows that meet certain criteria.
-- Create a filtered index on the Email column for non-NULL values
CREATE INDEX IX_Employees_Email
ON Employees (Email)
WHERE Email IS NOT NULL;
8. Security Implications of Not Null
While NOT NULL
constraints primarily focus on data integrity and performance, they also have security implications.
8.1. Preventing Injection Attacks
- SQL Injection:
NOT NULL
constraints can help prevent SQL injection attacks by ensuring that required fields are always populated. - Data Validation: By enforcing data validation rules,
NOT NULL
constraints can help prevent malicious data from being inserted into the database.
8.2. Protecting Sensitive Data
- Encryption:
NOT NULL
constraints can be used in conjunction with encryption to protect sensitive data. - Access Control: By ensuring that required fields are always populated,
NOT NULL
constraints can help enforce access control policies.
8.3. Auditing and Compliance
- Data Integrity:
NOT NULL
constraints can help ensure data integrity, which is essential for auditing and compliance purposes. - Data Retention: By ensuring that required fields are always populated,
NOT NULL
constraints can help enforce data retention policies.
8.4. Secure Coding Practices
- Input Validation: Always validate user input to prevent malicious data from being inserted into the database.
- Parameterized Queries: Use parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks.
- Least Privilege: Grant users only the minimum privileges necessary to perform their tasks.
8.5. Example Scenario
Consider a web application that allows users to create accounts. The application should require users to provide a valid email address and password. By adding NOT NULL
constraints to the Email
and Password
columns in the Users
table, you can ensure that all user accounts have these essential details. Additionally, you can use check constraints to validate the email address format and password strength.
9. Using Rental-Server.Net for Optimal Database Hosting
When managing SQL Server databases with NOT NULL
constraints, choosing the right hosting solution is crucial. At rental-server.net, we offer robust server solutions tailored to your needs.
9.1. Dedicated Servers
- Performance: Dedicated servers provide maximum performance and resources, ensuring that your database can handle large volumes of data and complex queries efficiently.
- Customization: You have full control over the server configuration, allowing you to optimize it for your specific database requirements.
- Security: Dedicated servers offer enhanced security features, protecting your data from unauthorized access.
9.2. VPS (Virtual Private Servers)
- Scalability: VPS solutions offer scalability, allowing you to easily increase or decrease resources as your needs change.
- Cost-Effectiveness: VPS solutions are more cost-effective than dedicated servers, making them a good choice for smaller databases or development environments.
- Flexibility: VPS solutions offer flexibility, allowing you to choose the operating system and software that best meet your needs.
9.3. Cloud Servers
- Reliability: Cloud servers offer high availability and reliability, ensuring that your database is always accessible.
- Scalability: Cloud servers offer scalability, allowing you to easily scale your resources up or down as needed.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Cloud servers can be more cost-effective than dedicated servers, especially for organizations with fluctuating resource requirements.
9.4. Benefits of Rental-Server.Net
- Reliable Infrastructure: Our state-of-the-art data centers ensure high uptime and performance for your databases.
- Expert Support: Our team of experienced professionals is available 24/7 to provide expert support and assistance.
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9.5. Choosing the Right Solution
Consider your database size, traffic volume, and performance requirements when choosing a hosting solution. Dedicated servers are ideal for large, high-traffic databases, while VPS and cloud servers are better suited for smaller databases or development environments.
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10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Not Null
in SQL Server
10.1. What is the primary purpose of the NOT NULL
constraint in SQL Server?
The primary purpose of the NOT NULL
constraint is to ensure data integrity by preventing NULL
values in specified columns, ensuring that these columns always contain a value.
10.2. How do I add a NOT NULL
constraint to an existing column in SQL Server?
To add a NOT NULL
constraint to an existing column, use the ALTER TABLE
statement with the ALTER COLUMN
clause, ensuring that the column does not contain any NULL
values before adding the constraint.
10.3. What happens if I try to insert a NULL
value into a column with a NOT NULL
constraint?
If you try to insert a NULL
value into a column with a NOT NULL
constraint, SQL Server will raise an error, and the insert operation will fail.
10.4. Can I combine NOT NULL
constraints with default constraints?
Yes, you can combine NOT NULL
constraints with default constraints to ensure that a column always has a value, either by explicitly providing one or by using the default value.
10.5. How does the NOT NULL
constraint affect query performance in SQL Server?
NOT NULL
constraints generally improve query performance by allowing SQL Server to optimize query execution plans more effectively, as the database engine knows that it does not need to check for NULL
values in these columns.
10.6. Are NOT NULL
constraints case-sensitive in SQL Server?
No, NOT NULL
constraints are not case-sensitive. You can use either NOT NULL
or not null
when defining the constraint.
10.7. What is the difference between NULL
, zero, and an empty string in SQL Server?
NULL
represents an unknown or missing value, zero is a numeric value, and an empty string (“”) is a valid string value. They are all distinct and should be handled accordingly.
10.8. How do I check if a column is nullable in SQL Server?
You can check if a column is nullable by using the sp_help
stored procedure or by querying the sys.columns
system catalog view.
10.9. Can I remove a NOT NULL
constraint from a column in SQL Server?
Yes, you can remove a NOT NULL
constraint from a column by using the ALTER TABLE
statement with the ALTER COLUMN
clause, specifying that the column is nullable.
10.10. What are some alternatives to using NOT NULL
constraints in SQL Server?
Alternatives to using NOT NULL
constraints include using default constraints, check constraints, triggers, and application-level validation to manage missing or incomplete data.
This comprehensive guide should give you a solid understanding of NOT NULL
constraints in SQL Server and how they can be used to ensure data integrity, improve query performance, and reduce application errors. By following the best practices outlined in this guide, you can create robust and reliable databases that meet the needs of your organization. And remember, for top-notch database hosting solutions, visit rental-server.net.