SQL Server install guidelines

Does the PI Server install kit install SQL Server?

No. You must install it, or work with your SQL administrator to install or obtain access to an SQL Server.

What Microsoft Windows privileges are required on the database server for the PI AF SQL Server database installation?

If you are creating or upgrading the database with the install kit, the user running the installer must have local administrative rights on the database server.

If you do not want to install or upgrade the database with the install kit (and leave the task for your database administrator), no rights are required on the database server. To ensure that you are not creating or upgrading the database when running the install kit, clear both the AF SQL database scripts and AF SQL script execution options in the SQL Server Connection window.

Is it possible for the SQL administrator to manually install the SQL objects without help from the installation program?

Yes.

Are the AF SQL scripts available for review by the SQL administrator prior to executing them?

Yes. The PI Server install kit installs the AF SQL scripts to the %PIHOME64%\AF\SQL directory and can optionally be instructed not to execute them as part of the installation. These scripts can be run manually after the installation is complete. Alternately, install on a test system or virtual server image. Capture the SQL scripts or back up or detach the PI AF SQL Server database and restore it on the production database server.

What SQL Server privileges are required on the database server for PI AF SQL Server database creation?

Installing and updating the PI AF SQL Server database requires that your account has sysadmin privileges for a new install and db_owner privileges for upgrading.

If you are only installing or upgrading the PI AF Application Service, no SQL privileges are necessary. See Manual creation of the PI AF SQL Server database.

Can the PI AF application service run on a computer in a domain that is not trusted by the domain of the SQL Server system?

Yes, but you must configure the PI AF application service to use a SQL Server login instead of Windows authentication when connecting to SQL Server.

In a PI AF SQL Server database-only installation, what configuration changes are made to the Windows operating system?

None. No files are installed on the database server, other than the PI AF SQL Server database files. No registry keys are modified.

Are any objects created in the primary database?

No.

Are any objects created in the MSDB database?

No.

Are any objects created in the model database?

No.

Can the SQL administrator control where the PI AF SQL Server database data and log files are created?

Yes. Prior to running the PI Server install kit , set the paths in the database settings for the SQL Server instance. If manually installing, modify schema1.sql to explicitly set the paths.

Are there any limitations when installing SQL Server and Data Archive on the same computer?

Yes. When installing SQL Server Enterprise on the same computer as Data Archive, you should set limits for SQL Server memory and disk usage. Note that SQL Server Express has built-in limitations for memory and disk usage.