SQL Server 2008 R2 Sysprep Step by Step

Starting in SQL Server 2008 R2, we have added Sysprep functionality. The Sysprep functionality enables rapid deployment and configuration of SQL SQL Server.  The SQL Server sysprep functionality allows you to install files and then configure at a later point. SQL Server Sysprep can be used with Windows Sysprep to create an operating system image that includes an unconfigured SQL Server installation. After completing the configuration of the operating system, you can then configure the SQL Server install using the “Complete Image” wizard. The Sysprep functionality is available in all SQL Server 2008 R2 editions.

There are 2 different phases:

(1) Preparing the image by installing the files on to the system for the features that are selected. At this point, the features are not usable

(2) Configure the features to be useable. At this point the instance, networking and service accounts are configured. Once the image is configured the SQL Server image can be used.

Limitations:

• Only the database engine and reporting services supports Sysprep
• Cannot be used for clustering scenarios
• Not supported on IA64 system or supported in WOW64
• The installation media need to be available when preparing an image and configuring the image. When Sysprepping a SQL Server Express, you need to extract the files to the local machine before preparing the image.

See https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee210754(SQL.105).aspx for an overview of SQL Server sysprep and https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee210664(SQL.105).aspx for additional information on how to install in the SQL Server 2008 R2 books online.

Prepare an image:

1. If you are going to sysprep Express, extract the source media to the local machine as follows:

SQLEXPR_x64_ENU.exe /x:c:\SQLServer2008R2Express

2. Run Setup.exe from your original source media or from the extracted Express location. When the Installation Center comes up, navigate to the Advanced page and select “Image preparation of a stand-along instance of SQL Server”.

3. Select OK on the Setup Support Rules, if there are no errors.

4. Click Install on the Setup Support Files dialog.

5. Click Next.

6. Accept the License Terms

7. Select the features to Sysprep and then click Next. Notice only the Database Engine, Replication, Full-text, and Reporting Services can be Sysprep.

8. Specify an Instance ID and then click Next

9. Click Next on the Disk Space dialog.

10. Click Next on the Prepare Image Rules, if there are no errors.

11. Click Prepare to kick off the installation of the files.

12. Just wait for the process to continue.

13. You are now done installing the files. Click Close to exit out of wizard.

Complete or configure the installation:

Important: To complete this configuration, the Wizard needs access to the original source media.

1. Launch the “Complete SQL Server 2008 Installation” short-cut off of the Start menu.

2. Click OK

3. Click  Install

4. Click Next

5. Enter your Product Key

6. Accept the License terms and then click Next.

7. Specify the Instance ID that you want to complete or configure and then click Next.

8. Click Next on the features to be completed and configured.

9. Specify an Instance Name and then click next.

10. Specify the account that the services should run under and then click next.

11. Specify the accounts that should have admin permission inside of SQL Server

12. Specify how to configure Reporting Services configuration mode

13. Specify the Error Reporting settings.

14. Click Next if there are no errors.

15. Click complete to start the process of configuring the features

16. Setup is setting up the instance and services.

17. Setup is done configuring the features. You can now start using the instance.