Hey guys! Today, we're diving into how to install SQL Server 2019 Standard. SQL Server is a powerful relational database management system, and the Standard edition is perfect for small to medium-sized businesses. Whether you're setting up a new database server or upgrading from an older version, this guide will walk you through each step. Let's get started!

Prerequisites

Before we jump into the installation, let's make sure you have everything you need. This part is crucial, so don't skip it!

• System Requirements: Ensure your server meets the minimum hardware and software requirements for SQL Server 2019. This includes having a supported operating system (like Windows Server 2016, 2019, or 2022), sufficient processor power, enough RAM (at least 4GB, but more is always better!), and adequate disk space. Microsoft provides a detailed list of these requirements, so double-check! These requirements are very important before installing SQL Server 2019 Standard.
• Download the Installation Media: You'll need the SQL Server 2019 Standard installation media. If you have a Visual Studio subscription, you can download it from there. Alternatively, you can obtain it from the Microsoft website after purchasing a license. Make sure you download the correct ISO file for the Standard edition.
• Administrative Privileges: You must have administrative privileges on the server where you're installing SQL Server. This is necessary to perform the installation and configure the server correctly. Log in with an account that has local administrator rights. SQL Server 2019 Standard requires administrative privileges.
• .NET Framework: SQL Server 2019 requires .NET Framework 4.7.2 or later. Most modern Windows Server versions will have this installed by default, but it's worth verifying. If it's not installed, download and install it before proceeding. You can get the .NET Framework from the Microsoft website. SQL Server 2019 Standard needs .NET Framework.

Meeting these prerequisites will help ensure a smooth and successful installation process. Trust me, spending a few minutes to verify these things can save you a lot of headaches later on.

Step 1: Launching the SQL Server Installation Center

Alright, with the prerequisites out of the way, let’s get started with the actual installation. The first step is to launch the SQL Server Installation Center. Here’s how you do it:

1. Mount the ISO File: If you downloaded an ISO file, mount it by double-clicking on it. This will create a virtual DVD drive on your system. Alternatively, you can burn the ISO to a physical DVD and insert it into your server’s DVD drive. Mounting the ISO file is essential for the next steps.
2. Run Setup.exe: Navigate to the virtual or physical DVD drive and locate the Setup.exe file. Double-click it to launch the SQL Server Installation Center. You should see a splash screen followed by the SQL Server Installation Center window. Starting Setup.exe is the main part of the process.
3. Select Installation: In the SQL Server Installation Center, you’ll see several options. Click on “Installation” in the left-hand menu. This will bring up a list of installation-related tasks. Pick the Installation option to proceed.
4. New SQL Server Stand-alone Installation: From the list of installation tasks, select “New SQL Server stand-alone installation or add features to an existing installation.” This option will guide you through installing a new instance of SQL Server 2019 Standard. Select New SQL Server stand-alone installation.

Step 2: Setup and Feature Selection

Once you've launched the installation, the SQL Server Setup wizard will guide you through several steps. The first few are pretty straightforward.

1. Product Key: The setup process will first ask you for a product key. Enter your SQL Server 2019 Standard product key. If you're evaluating the software, you can select the Evaluation edition. Make sure you have a valid product key ready. It should be a SQL Server 2019 Standard product key.
2. License Terms: Next, you'll be prompted to accept the license terms. Read through the terms carefully (or at least scroll through them!) and check the box to accept them. You can't proceed without accepting the license terms, so make sure you agree with everything before continuing. Accept the license terms to proceed.
3. Global Rules: The setup will run a series of global rules checks to ensure your system meets the basic requirements for installation. If any rules fail, you'll need to address the issues before continuing. Usually, these are related to prerequisites like .NET Framework or pending reboots. Make sure the global rules pass.
4. Microsoft Update: You'll be asked whether you want to use Microsoft Update to check for updates. It's generally a good idea to enable this, as it will ensure you have the latest updates and security patches. However, this is optional and depends on your organization's policies. Using Microsoft Update is recommended.
5. Feature Selection: This is where you choose which SQL Server features to install. At a minimum, you'll want to select the “Database Engine Services.” You might also want to include features like “SQL Server Replication,” “Full-Text and Semantic Extractions for Search,” and “Client Tools Connectivity,” depending on your needs. Think carefully about what features you need, as you can always add them later, but it's easier to do it now. Selecting the Database Engine Services is essential. SQL Server 2019 Standard comes with multiple features that are optional.
6. Feature Rules: The setup will run another set of rules checks based on the features you've selected. Again, address any issues that are reported before proceeding. Resolving feature rules errors is necessary.

Step 3: Instance Configuration

Now, let's configure the SQL Server instance. This involves choosing an instance name and setting the root directories for your SQL Server installation.

1. Instance Configuration: You can choose to install a “Default instance” or a “Named instance.” A default instance is installed without a specific name, while a named instance allows you to run multiple SQL Server instances on the same server. For most scenarios, a default instance is fine, unless you specifically need multiple instances. If you opt for a named instance, choose a descriptive and easy-to-remember name. Choosing the instance configuration is important. Select between a default or named instance.
2. Instance ID: The Instance ID is automatically generated based on your instance name. You can usually leave this as the default. The Instance ID can typically be left as default.
3. Server Configuration: This is a crucial step where you configure the service accounts and collation settings for your SQL Server instance. Let’s break this down:
   • Service Accounts: SQL Server uses service accounts to run its various services. The default accounts are usually fine for most installations. However, for enhanced security, you might want to create dedicated service accounts with limited permissions. For each service (like SQL Server Database Engine, SQL Server Agent, etc.), you can specify the account to use and the startup type (Automatic, Manual, Disabled). Using service accounts is key to proper functioning.
   • Collation Configuration: Collation settings determine how SQL Server sorts and compares character data. The default collation is usually SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS, which is a good choice for most English-language applications. However, if you're working with multilingual data or specific character sets, you might need to choose a different collation. Be careful when changing the collation, as it can impact existing databases and applications. Picking the right collation configuration is important for data handling.

Step 4: Database Engine Configuration

The next step is configuring the Database Engine, which is the heart of SQL Server. This includes setting the authentication mode and specifying the administrators.

1. Authentication Mode: You can choose between “Windows authentication mode” and “Mixed Mode (SQL Server authentication and Windows authentication).” Windows authentication mode uses Windows accounts to authenticate users, while Mixed Mode allows you to use both Windows accounts and SQL Server logins. For simplicity and security, Windows authentication mode is often preferred. However, if you need to support older applications that require SQL Server logins, Mixed Mode is necessary. SQL Server 2019 Standard supports both modes. Choosing the correct authentication mode is important.
2. Specify SQL Server Administrators: Add the Windows accounts that should have administrative privileges on the SQL Server instance. This is usually your own account and any other accounts that need to manage the server. Click the “Add Current User” button to add your account. You can also add other accounts by clicking “Add…” and searching for them in the Active Directory. Ensuring the correct SQL Server Administrators are set is crucial.
3. Data Directories: You can customize the directories where SQL Server stores its data and log files. The default directories are usually fine, but if you have specific storage requirements or want to separate data and log files for performance reasons, you can change them here. Configure the data directories if necessary.
4. TempDB Configuration: TempDB is a system database that SQL Server uses for temporary storage. You can configure the number of TempDB files and their initial size. It's generally recommended to have one TempDB file per CPU core, up to a maximum of eight. Configure the TempDB for optimal performance.
5. FileStream: If you plan to store unstructured data like documents or images in SQL Server, you can enable FileStream. This feature allows you to store these files on the file system while managing them within SQL Server. Enabling FileStream depends on your needs.

Step 5: Completing the Installation

After configuring the Database Engine, the setup wizard will present a summary of your installation choices. Review everything carefully to ensure it's correct.

1. Ready to Install: The “Ready to Install” page shows a summary of all the settings you’ve configured. Take a moment to review everything and make sure it’s correct. If you need to make any changes, click the “Previous” button to go back and adjust the settings. Reviewing the Ready to Install page is essential.
2. Install: If everything looks good, click the “Install” button to begin the installation process. The setup wizard will copy files, configure services, and perform other tasks. This process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on your server’s performance and the features you’ve selected. During the installation, you’ll see a progress bar and status messages indicating what’s happening. Starting the Install process will start the copy files.
3. Complete: Once the installation is complete, you’ll see a “Complete” page with a summary of the installation results. Check the status of each component to ensure everything was installed successfully. If any components failed to install, click the links to view the error logs and troubleshoot the issues. If the installation was successful, you’ll see a message indicating that SQL Server 2019 Standard has been installed successfully. Check the complete installation page for errors.

Step 6: Post-Installation Tasks

Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed SQL Server 2019 Standard. But there are a few post-installation tasks you should perform to ensure your server is properly configured and secure.

1. Connect to the Server: Open SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and connect to your SQL Server instance. Use the Windows account you specified as an administrator during the installation. Verify that you can connect successfully and that you have the necessary permissions. Verifying that you can connect to the server is the next step.
2. Configure Network Settings: By default, SQL Server is configured to listen for connections on TCP port 1433. If you need to change this port or enable remote connections, use SQL Server Configuration Manager. Be sure to configure the Windows Firewall to allow connections to the SQL Server port. You may have to configure network settings.
3. Create a Sample Database: Create a sample database to test your installation. You can use the CREATE DATABASE statement in SSMS to create a new database. Then, create some tables and insert data to verify that everything is working correctly. Make a sample database to test everything.
4. Backup Your Databases: Regularly back up your databases to protect against data loss. You can use SQL Server Management Studio or T-SQL commands to create backups. Implement a backup schedule that meets your organization’s needs. Backup Your Databases to not lose data.
5. Install Updates: Check for and install any available updates for SQL Server 2019. Microsoft regularly releases updates to address security vulnerabilities and improve performance. Keeping your server up-to-date is crucial for maintaining a secure and stable environment. Make sure you install the updates.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the best preparation, you might encounter issues during the installation process. Here are some common problems and how to troubleshoot them:

• Installation Fails with Error Code: Check the SQL Server error logs for detailed information about the failure. The error logs are located in the C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL15.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\Log directory (the exact path may vary depending on your instance name). The logs often contain clues about the cause of the error, such as missing prerequisites or permission issues.
• Cannot Connect to the Server: Ensure that the SQL Server service is running. You can check the service status in the Services app (search for “Services” in the Start menu). Also, verify that the Windows Firewall is configured to allow connections to the SQL Server port (default is 1433). Make sure SQL Server service is running.
• Performance Issues: If you experience performance issues after installation, check the SQL Server configuration settings. Ensure that the server has enough RAM and CPU resources. Also, optimize the TempDB configuration and consider separating data and log files onto different disks. Check performance issues after the installation.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! A comprehensive guide to installing SQL Server 2019 Standard. By following these steps and keeping the troubleshooting tips in mind, you should be well-equipped to get your SQL Server instance up and running smoothly. Remember to always double-check the prerequisites and pay close attention to the configuration options. Good luck, and happy database managing!