Planning a SQL Server Installation

To install SQL Server, follow these steps:

• Review installation requirements, system configuration checks, and security considerations for a SQL Server installation.

• Run SQL Server Setup to install or upgrade to a later version.

• Use SQL Server utilities to configure SQL Server.

Regardless of the installation method, you are required to confirm acceptance of the software license terms as an individual or on behalf of an entity, unless your use of the software is governed by a separate agreement such as a Microsoft volume licensing agreement or a third-party agreement with an ISV or OEM.

The license terms are displayed for review and acceptance in the Setup user interface. Unattended installations (using the /Q or /QS parameters) must include the /IAcceptSQLServerLicenseTerms parameter. You can review the license terms separately at Microsoft Software License Terms.

Note

Depending on how you received the software (for example, through Microsoft volume licensing), your use of the software may be subject to additional terms and conditions.

In This Section

• What's New in SQL Server Installation
  This topic describes the details about the new or improved features of installation in this version of SQL Server 2012.

• Hardware and Software Requirements for Installing SQL Server 2012
  This topic lists the minimum hardware and software requirements to install and run an instance of SQL Server 2012.

• Security Considerations for a SQL Server Installation
  This topic describes some security best practices that you should consider before you install SQL Server and after you install SQL Server.

• Configure Windows Service Accounts and Permissions
  This topic describes the default configuration of services in this release of SQL Server, and configuration options for SQL Server services that you can set during and after SQL Server installation.

• Network Protocols and Network Libraries
  This topic describes the default configuration of network protocols in this release of SQL Server, and the configuration options available.

• Work with Multiple Versions and Instances of SQL Server
  This topic describes the considerations for installing multiple versions and instances of SQL Server. 

• Local Language Versions in SQL Server
  This topic describes about the localized versions of SQL Server 2012.

Related Sections

• Install SQL Server 2012
  This section provides an overview of different installation options we have for installing SQL Server 2012.

• Install SQL Server 2012 Business Intelligence Features
  This section of the SQL Server Setup documentation explains how to install SQL Server features that are part of the Microsoft BI platform.

• Upgrade to SQL Server 2012
  The section provides an overview of upgrading instances of SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2008, or SQL Server 2008 R2 to SQL Server 2012.

• Uninstall SQL Server 2012
  Refer this section to uninstall an existing instance of SQL Server 2012 completely, and prepare the system so that you can reinstall SQL Server.

• SQL Server Failover Cluster Installation
  This section of the SQL Server Setup documentation explains how to install, and configure SQL Server failover cluster.

See Also

Tasks

Upgrade to SQL Server 2012 Using the Installation Wizard (Setup)

Concepts

Quick-Start Installation of SQL Server 2012

Install SQL Server 2012 from the Command Prompt

High Availability Solutions (SQL Server)

Before Installing Failover Clustering