As in previous versions, you can install
SQL Server 2012 services with a graphical user interface: the
Installation Center. Unattended and automated deployments are also
possible using the Command Line and PowerShell.
You can install all the SQL Server 2012 services
by following the installation wizards launched from the Installation
Center. Some of the services and features that can be installed using
Installation Center include Database Services, Integration Services
(SSIS), Analysis Services (SSAS), Reporting Services (SSRS), Master Data
Services (MDS), and Data Quality Services (DQS). Additionally,
management and development tools such as SQL Server Management Studio
(SSMS) and SQL Server Data Tools (formerly BIDS) can be installed
through Installation Center. Additional settings and configurations may
be necessary after the core installation process completes.
1. SQL Server 2012 Installation Center
The Installation Center provides a
graphical user interface that groups common installation tasks and
resources in seven logical sections:
- Planning
- Installation
- Maintenance
- Tools
- Resources
- Advanced
- Options
To launch the Installation Center, locate and execute the Setup.exe application in your installation media. Figure 1 shows the Installation Center.
The initial section of the Installation Center is
the Planning section. The Planning section provides shortcuts to
important documentation, links, and applications that facilitate a
successful SQL Server installation, upgrade, or migration.
The installation section provides shortcuts to launch the following installation wizards:
- New SQL Server standalone installation or add features to an existing installation.
- New SQL Server failover cluster installation.
- Add a node to a SQL Server failover cluster.
- Upgrade from SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2008, or SQL Server 2008 R2.
- Search for product updates.
The Maintenance section provides shortcuts to do
an edition upgrade, and to repair and update an existing SQL Server
installation. It also allows you to remove a node from an existing SQL
Server failover cluster.
The Tools section provides shortcuts to the following four tools:
- System Configuration Checker
- Installed SQL Server features discovery report
- Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit for SQL Server
- PowerPivot Configuration Tool
The Resources section provides shortcuts to SQL
Server 2012 documentation, product registration, and community resources
such as blogs, forums, Books on Line, License Agreement, and Microsoft
Privacy Statement.
The Advanced section provides shortcuts to additional installation, configuration and deployment tasks including:
- Install based on a configuration file
- Advanced cluster preparation
- Advanced cluster completion
- Image preparation of a standalone instance of SQL Server
- Image completion of a prepared standalone instance of SQL Server
The Options section allows you to specify the
architecture of SQL Server 2012 to install, either 32-bit or 64-bit
processor architecture. Additionally it allows you to specify the
location of the SQL Server installation media.
