Preparing for Installation

Before installing SharePoint Server 2007, you'll also need to consider three different server roles: Web application server, database server, and Active Directory. These roles are described in this section. A detailed discussion of hardware and software requirements can be found in Chapter 3, "Design Considerations and Deployment."

Web/Application Server

The server hosting the SharePoint components must have the following minimum software configuration:

• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, or Web Edition) with Service Pack 1 (SP1).

• Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 installed, which includes Microsoft Windows Workflow Foundation

• Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) in IIS 6.0 worker process isolation mode, with Microsoft ASP.NET 2.0 installed and enabled. IIS 6.0 is in the correct mode unless you upgraded the Web server from Windows 2000 to Windows Server 2003. Upgraded Web servers default to IIS 5.0 mode and need to be changed to IIS 6.0 mode.

• NTFS file system.

Database Server

SharePoint requires SQL databases and prefers Windows Authentication. SharePoint is hardware agnostic, so the hardware configuration, physical location of the SQL server, and location of the databases-such as a storage area network (SAN)-is fine with SharePoint as long as SharePoint can communicate efficiently with its databases. SharePoint is unaware of any non-SharePoint databases on the SQL server. If you have multiple named instances of SQL, identify the instance you are using for SharePoint as part of identifying the SQL server.

Therefore, the SQL Server configuration characteristics are flexible and include the following:

• Any operating system version that supports Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or 2005.

• Microsoft SQL Server 2005 or Microsoft SQL Server 2000 with Service Pack 3 (SP3) or later.

• The database server does not have to be dedicated to SharePoint.

• Optionally, the database server can be an SQL cluster.

Active Directory

Planning is essential for every part of implementing SharePoint. A crucial part of preparing for installing SharePoint Server 2007 is planning the various Active Directory accounts that will be needed throughout your implementation, not just for the installation process. The time that you spend on this process will be appreciated when you do not have to modify the accounts later.

Accounts Requirements

SharePoint Server 2007 will require many dedicated accounts. These accounts are discussed in greater detail in the Security Accounts section of Chapter 3. Before beginning your installation, plan for and create these dedicated accounts with these considerations:

• Provide the appropriate rights and permissions so that they are available when needed.

• The dedicated accounts need to have passwords that do not automatically expire.