I’m using base images in VHD for virtual machines and WDS WIM files for physical machines whenever I want to deploy new servers. I want to get to the point where logical blocks can be installed from scripts, e.g. IIS7 from a SERVERMANAGERCMD script, SQL 2008 from an answer file, etc. I won’t have time to do it immediately but it’s the medium term goal.
I just asked for documentation on Twitter and Andrew Fryer was quick to point out a page with a method to install SQL 2008 from command prompt. One link down on the index is a page that has instructions to install SQL 2008 from a file called ConfigurationFile.ini, i.e. an answer file.
I’ve read that this file can reside in “C:Program FilesMicrosoft SQL Server100Setup BootstrapLogyyyymmdd_hhmmss” on existing installations. I just checked a server and it’s there with all the entries used to install that server. Very nice and very reusable!
Using it looks simple. Make the installation media available, e.g. DVD, ISO or file share. Then run Setup.exe /ConfigurationFile=MyConfigurationFile.INI. Sit back and enjoy the ride.
I notice that the passwords were not retained in that file. That’s a good thing. I haven’t tried it yet but I would have to guess we get prompted for them. The MS guide says that you can run something like this to be prompted:
Setup.exe /SQLSVCPASSWORD="************" /AGTVCPASSWORD="************" /ASSVCPASSWORD="************"
/ISSVCPASSWORD="************" /RSSVCPASSWORD="************" /ConfigurationFile=MyConfigurationFile.INI