Is it possible to run SQL-Server 2008R2 or 2012 on Windows Server 2008 R2 Core installation.
There are three questions to answer:
- Does the license allow this?
- Can I install and operate it?
- Is it supported by Microsoft?
This question came up on a question about WSUS on Server Core, other products require SQL-Server as well, so it would nice nice to know.
Best Answer
While SQL-Server 2012 has been tested and and is fully supported by Microsoft, this is not the case for SQL-Server 2008R2. However is it still possible to install and run this version of SQL-Server on Windows Server Core installations.
Here's what to do to install SQL 2008R2 on a Server 2008R2 core edition:
install dot.NET Framework 3.51
install PowerShell
Prepare a SQL-Server setup configuration file, this example is for SQL-Express:
For more information about the configuration file see the TechNet article: How to: Install SQL Server 2008 Using a Configuration File
If you have downloaded an .exe rather than using a DVD/ISO, you have to extract the setup files first:
Run the installed in quiet mode:
Extract the Service Pack files:
Installing the service pack from a network drive did not work for me, make sure the files are on a local disk.
Install the service pack:
You should now be able to connect to the instance from a remote SQL-Server Management Studio. You can also use sqlcmd.exe on the command line.
If you need a local GUI tool to run your queries, you can use Query Express, a small no-install single file application that works in Server Core.
I've been using SQL 2008R2 on Server Core for about six months now. I have not tested it with heavy loads but I don't see why it would behave any different from a version installed on a full-GUI windows.