It is very good to know our server and its feature which are available for configurations. SQL Server 2008/2005/2000 always have many feature which can be enabled or disabled. One should atleast know what are the options SQL Server provides.

If advanced settings are not enabled at configuration level SQL Server will not let user change the advanced features on server. Authorized user can turn on or turn off advance settings.

You can run following command and check basic global configuration settings.

sp_CONFIGURE 'show advanced', 0
GO
RECONFIGURE
GO
sp_CONFIGURE
GO

You can run following command and check advance global configuration settings.

sp_CONFIGURE 'show advanced', 1
GO
RECONFIGURE
GO
sp_CONFIGURE
GO

Reference : Pinal Dave (
http://blog.SQLAuthority.com
)