With the release of SQL Server 2008 R2 functionality was included to support allow for the rapid deployment and configuration of SQL Server by allowing:
- The preparation of a SQL Server Image (Install the binaries)
- Configuring the usable features (Instance, Networking, Service Accounts)
In this early release of the functionality there are some limitations around what you can use SysPrep for in your rapid deployment environment. Read more about how to use Sysprep with SQL Server 2008 R2:
- Only the Database Engine and SSRS support this functionality
- Clustering is not supported
- IA64 & WOW64 are not supported
- SQL Server Tools are not supported
- Repairing a prepared instance is not supported
SQL Server 2012 SP1 CU2 improved this functionality support by including the following SQL Server features. Read more about how to use Sysprep with SQL Server 2012:
- SQL Server Analysis Services
- SQL Server Shared Features
Now with the Release of SQL Server 2014 there is further improvements to the supported functionality. Read more about how to use Sysprep with SQL Server 2014:
- Full support for all features
- Ability to prepare multiple instances side by side
- Ability to undertake an edition upgrade while configuring a prepared instance (Excluding Express)
- Support for FCI’s from the command line
A full step by step process to undertake an installation of SQL Server 2014 using Sysprep is available here.
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