Summary

SQL Server offers unprecedented ease of installation for a database server of its caliber. But you should understand your choices in terms of hardware, licensing, and sort orders before you proceed too far down the path of a major application rollout. Installing SQL Server is also fast and reliable. You need to do very little custom configuration because SQL Server 7 automatically configures itself as needed.

The SQL Server installation offers options for unattended and remote installation, for installing a Desktop version, and for client-toolsonly installation. Utilities are provided for changing many of the options chosen during the initial installation, but to add new components you must keep your original CD handy. (That is, if you haven't copied its contents to a network share.)