Lesson 3: Running an Unattended Installation

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There are three methods for running an unattended installation of SQL Server 7:

• Use the sample unattended installation files included on the CD
• Generate or create your own custom unattended installation file
• Use Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS)

After this lesson, you will be able to

• Describe the unattended installation options for SQL Server 7

Estimated lesson time: 30 minutes

Using the Sample Unattended Installation Files

The simplest way to run an unattended setup is to use the batch files and setup initialization scripts provided in the root folder on the SQL Server CD-ROM. To use one of these installations, execute the batch file, which will launch SQL Server Setup using the associated setup initialization script. The following table describes these files.

Batch file	Setup initialization script	Result
Sql70cli.bat	sql70cli.iss	Installs the SQL Server management tools
Sql70ins.bat	sql70ins.iss	Installs a Typical installation of SQL Server, Standard Edition
Sql70cst.bat	sql70cst.iss	Installs a Custom installation of SQL Server, Standard Edition
Deskeins.bat	deskeins.iss	Installs a Typical installation of SQL Server, Desktop Edition
Deskecst.bat	deskecst.iss	Installs a Custom installation of SQL Server, Desktop Edition
Sql70rem.bat		Removes SQL Server

Generating or Creating a Custom Setup Initialization Script File

You can create a setup initialization script file using two methods: running SQL Server Setup interactively or using a text editor to manually create a setup initialization file.

Running SQL Server Setup Interactively

SQL Server Setup can generate an .ISS file without actually installing SQL Server. In the \x86\Setup or \Alpha\Setup directory on the SQL Server CD-ROM, run this program from the command prompt:

setupsql.exe k=Rc 

Running Setupsql.exe with the k=Rc option causes SQL Server Setup to write the Setup.iss file to the \Windows or \WinNT directory while you select setup options, rather than waiting until after the files are copied. When the Setup program prompts you that it is ready to begin copying files, click Cancel to exit without installing SQL Server. When you exit without actually installing SQL Server, the Setup.iss file created with the k=Rc option is incomplete. You must add the [SdStartCopy-0] and [SdFinish-0] sections detailed in Books Online.

Using a Text Editor to Manually Create a Setup Initialization File

If you create a setup initialization file manually, the file should be saved with the .ISS filename and be compatible with the Windows initialization file format. See "Generating or Creating a Custom Setup Initialization Script File" in Books Online for a complete list of the entries required and their meanings.

Invoking Setup

Once the .ISS file is created, the Setup program is invoked with the following arguments:

• The -f1 <initialization_file_path> argument selects an unattended setup initialization file.
• The -s flag causes the Setup program to run in silent mode with no user interface.

The following syntax is an example of invoking a Setup.

start /wait setupsql.exe -f1 C:\ SQL7.iss -SMS –s 

The start /wait command, together with the -SMS option, returns control to the command prompt only after SQL Server Setup finishes.

Using Microsoft Systems Management Server

You can use Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) version 1.2 or later to install Microsoft SQL Server automatically on multiple server computers running Windows NT in your enterprise.

The SQL Server CD-ROM contains a Package Definition Format (PDF) file, Smssql70.pdf, that automates creating a SQL Server package in SMS. The SQL Server package can then be distributed and installed on SMS computers.

Smssql70.pdf includes instructions for running the three setup command files included on the SQL Server CD-ROM. To run a custom command file that you have created, make a copy of Smssql70.pdf and edit it to run your command file.

Lesson Summary

You can run an unattended installation of SQL Server 7 by running the Setup program with a setup initialization script. Standard scripts are supplied on the SQL Server CD-ROM, or you can create your own custom scripts. Alternatively, you can run an unattended installation of SQL Server 7 using SMS.