Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2008 All-In-One Desk Reference For Dummies®

I.3.1. Hardware and Software Requirements

Although you might be tempted to pop in the DVD containing the SQL Server software, or point your browser at Microsoft's Web site and then immediately download and install the product, take a few minutes and determine whether your computer meets some minimal requirements. Otherwise, you might find that your installation efforts are for naught or that your SQL Server instance runs poorly (or not at all!). Fortunately, as the next chapter illustrates, Microsoft thoughtfully includes a system configuration check utility as part of the SQL Server installation. However, you can pass this test and still have a sluggish system, which is why you want to pay attention to the recommendations listed in this chapter.

Note: If you're curious about the installation experience, the next chapter gives that topic the rich treatment it deserves.

Take the time to go through each of these major system readiness categories, making sure that you meet or exceed each of these prerequisites. Also, if you're installing SQL Server on multiple machines, remember that a machine acting as a central server will generally require faster and better hardware than one that primarily acts as a client. Finally, you need to have administrative privileges on the computer where you're installing SQL Server.

• CPU: To keep things moving, you need a CPU with at least a Pentium III-class ...