Introduction
Windows Server Core: This is a minimal installation option for the Windows Server operating system. It doesn’t include the traditional graphical user interface (GUI), reducing the system’s footprint and attack surface. Administrators typically manage Server Core installations using the command line or remote management tools.
Installing SQL on Windows Core.
SQL is supported to be installed on Windows Core. Check the following example command to install it.
Feature parameters
| Parameter and values | Description |
|---|---|
| /FEATURES=SQLEngine | Installs only the Database Engine. |
| /FEATURES=SQLEngine,FullText | Installs the Database Engine and full-text. |
| /FEATURES=SQLEngine,Conn | Installs the Database Engine and the connectivity components. |
| /FEATURES=SQLEngine,AS,IS,Conn | Installs the Database Engine, Analysis Services, Integration Services, and the connectivity components. |
| FEATURES=SQLENGINE,ADVANCEDANALYTICS /IACCEPTROPENLICENSETERMS | Installs the Database Engine and R Services (In-Database). |
Installation Example:
Installation from command line
This is example to install the SQLEngine and Replication feature.
setup.exe /qs /ACTION=Install /FEATURES=SQLEngine,Replication /INSTANCENAME=MSSQLSERVER /SQLSVCACCOUNT="<DomainName\UserName>" /SQLSVCPASSWORD="strongpassword" /SQLSYSADMINACCOUNTS="<DomainName\UserName>" /AGTSVCACCOUNT="NT AUTHORITY\Network Service" /TCPENABLED=1 /IACCEPTSQLSERVERLICENSETERMS
Add feature on the SQL Instance
This is exampe to install only only the Replication Feature
.\setup.exe /qs /ACTION=INSTALL /FEATURES=Replication /INSTANCENAME=MSSQLSERVER /IACCEPTSQLSERVERLICENSETERMS
Open SQL port on Windows firewall.
Don’t forget to create the firewall rule to open 1433 port on the SQL server.
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "SQLServer Default instance" -Direction Inbound -LocalPort 1433 -Protocol TCP -Action Allow
Uninstall SQL
setup.exe /Q /Action=Uninstall /FEATURES=SQLEngine,Replication /INSTANCENAME=MSSQLSERVER