How to install Microsoft SQL 2012 R2

Here is a quick guide on how to install SQL Server 2012 R2 onto a Windows Server 2012 R2 platform.

• Insert SQL Server 2012 R2 Media into server.
• Run Setup from DVD.
• Select Installation then select New installation add features to an existing installation.
• A pre-installation server test will now run.
• Click next after pre-test completes.
• Enter product key
• Accept the Licence terms and conditions.

• Click install to setup support files.
• Click Next and then select SQL Server Feature Installation
• Select ALL required features – In this example we will install everything
• Ensure Shared Feature Directories are pointing to the D:\ Drive.
• Click next.
• On Instance Configuration, leave as Default instance, click next
• On the Server configuration screen, change account Name to NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM. No Password is required. This can be changed later.

Important :

On Database Engine Configuration ensure you select

• Mixed Mode (SQL Server authentication and Windows authentication).
• Input the pre-defined password (this is for the SA account).

It is also advised to add the local administrator as a SQL Admin in the Specify SQL server administrators section.

• Under the Data Directories tab ensure you chose:
  • S:\ for Database files
  • L:\ for Logs
• On the Analysis Services configuration, add the Current User – (This can be changed by the later in SQL Server Management Studio)
• Under Reporting Services Configuration select “install, but do not configure the report server” – (This can be changed by the later in SQL Server Management Studio)
• On the next screen, Distributed Replay Controller, ensure set as below and click next
• On the next screen, Distributed Replay Client ensure set as below and click next
• On the next screen, Error Reporting, ensure tick box is blank and click next

• Click Next to bring up final screen “Ready to install” and chose INSTALL
• The installation will take about 30 minutes to complete.
• Once completed, open SQL Server Management Studio and log in with the Mixed Mode SA account you created earlier.
• Log in with SA account or Administrator
• Expand the column on left, if you have a green “play” button SQL is running