SQL Server is probably the easiest enterprise level DBMS (DataBase Management System) to install. Like many Microsoft products, it uses the InstallShield program, which, happily, means that you can use Add/Remove Programs in your Control Panel to remove or change your installation.
Before installing SQL Server, you need to make sure that your hardware and operating system meet the requirements.
| SQL Server 7.0 Enterprise Installation Requirements |
| CPU | Intel Pentium 166 |
| Hard Disk | Minimum installation: 72MB
Typical installation: 175MB
Full Installation: 183 MB | |
| Memory | 64 MB |
| Operating System | Windows 95/98, NT4 or Windows 2000 |
| Network Adaptors & Software | As provided/supported by Operating System |
| File System | NTFS (preferred) or FAT |
| CD ROM Drive | Required unless installing from a network drive. |
Other things you should consider before doing a SQL Server installation for real include:
- Security Strategy
- Capacity Plan
- Data Availability
- Migration plan, if you are currently running on an older version of SQL Server.
- Replication Strategy
- Character Set
- Sort Order
For now, just be aware of these issues. Some of them, the things you should consider at this stage as you are setting up your training environment, we will cover later in this tutorial. Some of them are relevant to enterprise level SQL Server installations in a production environment, and we will look at what you need to know for the exam in these areas in future tutorials.