Chapter 8. Installing and Upgrading SQL Server

by Paul Jensen, Paul Bertucci, and Ray Rankins

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Choosing a SQL Server Edition

• Hardware Requirements

• Software Requirements

• Selecting Installation Configuration Options

• Verifying Installation

• Starting, Stopping, and Pausing SQL Server

• Post-Installation Configuration

• Installation Troubleshooting

• Remote Installation

• Unattended Installation

• nstalling a Named Instance

• Upgrading from Previous Versions

Probably the easiest part of administering a SQL Server database is the actual installation. First, the InstallShield Installation Wizard checks that you have met the prerequisites. You are prompted to answer a few configuration questions, and finally, SQL Server starts the install. Depending on your hardware and the installation options you have chosen , the install process will take between 10 and 30 minutes. Microsoft has seen to it that this complicated product can be up and running without a major hassle, unlike both Oracle and DB2. Score one for Microsoft!

However, it would be nice to be able to supply the correct answers to the "few configuration questions" that will need to be addressed during this installation process. The good news is that most of the choices you make during installation can be changed later, and defaults are provided for many of the options. This chapter looks at the details behind each preinstallation requirement and the various options you will be prompted for during the install; this should more than allow you to make informed decisions for these selections. We will also take a look at what is needed when upgrading from previous versions of SQL Server (from 7.0 to 2000, for example) and, to wrap things up, we will cover some post-install tasks and troubleshooting of installation problems.

NOTE

You must, of course, be logged in as a member of the local administrators group to perform the install of SQL Server. Many important changes will be made, including the addition of Services entries that will require authorized windows accounts.