AS Architecture

Hi, I am relatively new to AS. I was wondering how the AS environment and architecture is set-up. Do I need to have an instance of SQL Server running on my machine? I have gone through the tut by William Pears and get to the end and try browse the data and I get the same error as the guy with the "New to AS' thread. "unable to browse the cube,unspecified error'. But applying the service pack, do I just need to apply it on my machine which is where I have installed AS. I am not connecting to a SQL server anywhere along the way.
Mean time, I will try find the AS sp and apply it.
Thanks
Ian

...Problem solved

Ian:

Sorry I just got to your post ... it appears that you have resolved it.

Bill

Yes, applying the service pack did the trick.