Windows – install SQL Server 2008 R2 on a Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard machine in a workgroup then join the server to a domain

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I have a Windows 2008 Server Standard x64 machine that I need to install SQL Server 2008 R2 Standard on then ship it to a different site where it will be joined to a Active Directory domain.

The server is now using the default "WORKGROUP" workgroup and i need to know if i can install SQL Server on it then ship it to the other site where it will be joined to the domain without issues.

What are the possible problems that could happen? are there any workarounds?

Best Answer

You should be able to. Here are some points:

  • Double check with your client whether or not they have any SQL Server configuration policies set in AD that might interfere with your installation
  • You'll need to change service accounts for SQL services if you want to run them in the context of domain accounts.
  • Make sure you install SQL in mixed authentication mode
  • Obviously none of the domain users / groups will be available to SQL until joined to the domain at which point they'll need to be manually added

I'm not a replication expert, so there might be some things to consider there if you plan on using replication.

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