Steps to open SqlServer 2008:-

1. Click on Start
2. Programs 
3. Microsoft SQL Server 2008
4. SQL Server Management Studio.

             (OR)

1. Start
2. Click on Run
3. Type      SSMS 
4.  Click on  OK

Different Versions of SQL Server:-

SQL Server 2000

SQL Server 2005

SQL Server 2008

  

1.Server type:-It is used to mention to select  the Type of Server we are working with

     Here in this case DBEngine

2.Server name:-Computer Name

To Check Our ServerName:-

follow the following Steps:-

Start

Click on Run

Type     inetmgr  

 Click on  OK 
                                  

3.Authentication:-It is a process of checking the user credentials means Username and Password.

• We can Connect  to SQL Server Database using  Windows Authentication,SQL Server Authentication.
• Connect to SqlServer Database using  Windows Authentication will not require Username and Password Because by default it will take Local Windows Username and Password .
• We can connect to SqlServer Database using SQL Server Authentication .By default username  of login is sa and  Password is sa.