SQL Server Installation Types

SQL Server supports following types of installation −

• Graphical Installation
• Silent Installation Using Command Line
• Installation Using ConfigurationFile.ini File
• Slipstream Installation

Situations on which Installation type to choose :

Imagine a situation when you are tasked to install a dozen of SQL Server instances.
Using graphical installation can take a significant amount of resources and time, also there is a probability of errors due to typos (e.g. in directory paths, etc.)
There are following options that can be used for the installation:

1. Using ConfigurationFile.ini
2. Using command line parameters to setup.exe file
3. Slipstream Installation

Slipstream is an installation method in SQL Server where SQL Server Instance and Service Pack/CU can be packaged together. This feature has been introduced from SQL 2008 SP1.

This is also command based installation using parameters:

 /Action="install"

/UpdateEnabled="True or 1" /"False or 0"         

/UpdateSource="MU"/"UNC path"/".\Myupdates"

Inside file we have several sections that are interesting for silent Installation:

1. QUIET – determines if a user interface is disabled
2. QUIETSIMPLE – Setup will display  progress only, without any user interaction
3. UIMODE – defines how User Interface will be displayed, requires that QUIETSIMPLE is set to True
4. UpdateEnabled – allows installation of updates
5. UpdateSource – specifies the location of updates
6. INDICATEPROGRESS – specifies that the detailed log will be shown on the console

Possible values of above parameters:

1. QUIET=”False”
2. QUIETSIMPLE=”False”
3. UIMODE=”Normal”
4. UpdateEnabled=”True”
5. UpdateSource=”MU”
6. INDICATEPROGRESS=”False”