What's New in SQL Server Installation

What's New in SQL Server 2008 R2

Note   Because SQL Server 2008 R2 is a minor version upgrade of SQL Server 2008, we recommend that you also review the content in the SQL Server 2008 section. SQL Server 2008 R2 has the following new or improved features:

  • Imaging a stand-alone instance of SQL Server using the new SysPrep capability of SQL Server.

    A stand-alone installation of SQL Server includes two steps: prepare and complete. In SQL Server 2008, these two steps ran as one integrated step during installation.

    Starting with SQL Server 2008 R2, in addition to the integrated installation, the two steps are available as separate installation actions, and can be used in preparing an image of SQL Server.

    For more information, see Considerations for Installing SQL Server Using SysPrep.

  • Considerations for side-by-side instances of SQL Server 2008 R2 and SQL Server 2008.

    SQL Server 2008 R2 and SQL Server 2008 share the same major version number and therefore share some SQL Server components. For more information, see Considerations for Side-by-Side Instances of SQL Server 2008 R2 and SQL Server 2008.

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    For more information about using the SysPrep capability of SQL Server to install SQL Server side by side with SQL Server 2008 or other versions of SQL Server, see Considerations for Installing SQL Server Using SysPrep.

  • A new command line parameter /ACCEPTSQLSERVERLICENSETERMS is now required for unattended installations of SQL Server. For more information, see How to: Install SQL Server 2008 R2 from the Command Prompt.

  • Starting in SQL Server 2008 R2, the Reporting Services component no longer supports Itanium-based servers running Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2003 R2. Reporting Services continues to support other 64-bit operating systems, including Windows Server°2008 for Itanium-Based Systems and Windows Server°2008°R2 for Itanium-Based Systems. To upgrade to SQL Server 2008 R2 from a SQL Server 2008 installation with Reporting Services on an Itanium-based system edition of Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2003 R2, you must first upgrade the operating system.

  • New role-based installation parameter for installing SQL Server in a predetermined configuration. SQL Server Express is installed using the AllFeatures_WithDefaults role that minimizes the required user input. The AllFeatures_WithDefaults role installs all available features, adds the current user to the SQL Server sysadmin fixed server role, and uses default values for the service accounts whenever possible. The AllFeatures_WithDefaults role can be provided as a command line parameter when installing the full product. For more information on the AllFeatures_WithDefaults role, see How to: Install SQL Server 2008 R2 from the Command Prompt.

  • The option to enable the feature usage reporting during SQL Server Setup is now available on the Accept License Terms page. In the previous versions of SQL Server, the feature usage reporting option was available through the Error and Usage Reporting page which now only includes the option to enable error reporting. For more information, see Accept License Terms.

  • SQL Server 2008 R2 includes a new edition of SQL Server - SQL Server Datacenter

    SQL Server Datacenter delivers a high-performing data platform that provides the highest levels of scalability for large application workload, virtualization, and consolidation. For more information, see Features Supported by the Editions of SQL Server 2008 R2.

  • Maximum number of CPU support for SQL Server Enterprise has changed.

    SQL Server Enterprise supports a maximum of 8 CPUs. For more information, see Behavior Changes to SQL Server Features in SQL Server 2008 R2.

  • New role-based installation parameter for installing Analysis Services in a new or existing SharePoint farm.

    SQL Server 2008 R2 introduces Analysis Services integration with SharePoint products to support large scale data analytics for Excel workbooks that you publish to a SharePoint site. In this release, Setup includes a new setup role installation option so that you can deploy Analysis Services as a preconfigured PowerPivot for SharePoint server in a SharePoint farm. For more information, see Analysis Services with SharePoint Integration.

What's New in SQL Server 2008

SQL Server 2008 has new Setup architecture for the following scenarios: installation, upgrade, maintenance, failover clustering, and command prompt installation.

The following features are new starting in SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1:

  • Slipstream: Slipstream is the integration of the original installation media files with a SQL Server 2008 update, so that they can be installed as a single step. For more information, see the Slipstream section in Overview of SQL Server Servicing Installation.

  • You can uninstall cumulative updates and the service pack from the Program and Features application in Control Panel. For more information, see the Uninstall section in Overview of SQL Server Servicing Installation.

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