Installing MOSS on a single server machine

This blog forms a guideline for Installing MOSS on a single server machine .

Many a times, developer start off on a moss project on a pre built MOSS VPC image. This saves a lot of time and the developer can jump start and be productive. One main drawback of the VPC is that, it is real slow to work on and many a case, it can be a real pain to work with. This is when i decided to pump up my desktop and make this as a Single server MOSS box that really responds to my clicks :)

My first installation was performed on my gut feel and was not really the optimal installation. So I had to reinstall the box again. And this led me to write this blog. So that my mistakes could actually help someone to not make them.

Now what all are the pre requisites for the MOSS installation

• Install Windows Server 2003 /2008
• Install SQL Server 2005 (Optional)
• Install Microsoft Office  (Optional)

Install Windows Server 2003 /2008

• I stongly recomend to install MOSS on a clean machine. I ran into trouble when i was reinstalling the MOSS after uninstalling a previous attempt. The Reinstallation sometimes fails to create the content database properly. And thus will lead to many more issues later.

          2003 instructions

          2008 instructions 

• Ensure that all the updates / patches / hot fixes for the OS are run after installation.
• Install the Antivirus. You would not want to see all your effort go down the drain, would you?
• If you are installing this in your office environment, you would like to join this server to the domain. In my case, i created a domain on the server. Click here for instruction on how to create a domain. 
• Create a new Active Directory (AD) account. This account ( Service Account ) will be used for all MOSS installation purpose. This account requires the local Admin rights.
• Install IIS
• Install .NET framework 2.0 as well as 3.0

Install SQL Server 2005

• Log in as the service account created in last step.
• Install the SQL Server 2005 / 2008
• 2005 instructions : http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143516(SQL.90).aspx
• 2008 instructions : http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143219.aspx
• Install SQL Sever Management Studio (Optional)
• Add the service account to the Service Administrator and Database Creator roles.
• Run the windows update and install all the updates for the SQL Server.

Now we are ready to install MOSS.

Get the installation CD, A cup of tea and a book ( Calvin and Hobbes will be a good option )

Login as the Service Account created.

Open start menu > Run > InetMgr

Ensure that 'ASP.net V2.0.50727' web service extension is allowed in IIS. If this is not allowed then perform a 'repair' on .net 3.0 framework using add/remove programs.Web service extension will now appear in the list.

Insert the MOSS CD and run Setup.exe

Enter the CD Key when prompted

Choose the Advanced Option for the installation. The basic option will install basic version of SQL Server and will not utilise the SQL Server that we installed earlier.

Select the Complete installation option in the next prompt ( Server type ) and then click on Install.

Once the installation runs to completion, it will pop up a screen with the option "Run the SharePoint products and Technologies Wizard now". Check this option and finish the installation.

After the installation, the MOSS wizard will jump up on the screen.

A warning message stating that many of the services will be restarted will be popped. Click on Yes.

An option to configue the farm will be promped. Select 'No , I want to create a new farm' option.

Provide the database server (your server name) and your account details (Note: the Account should be entered in domain\user format). Leave the database name as the default. Click 'Next'.

Leave the authentication mode as 'NTLM', set a specific port number is desired (not required) and click 'Next'.

You'll get a summary screen; click 'Next' and now sit back and sip the tea. if it still not complete, i now suggest you to start on the book that you picked up.

NOTE: if the setup fails, check the application log. It would mostly be due to the issues in creating content database. Check the SQL Server installation / Service Account permissions.

You'll get a success screen at the end, click 'Finish'.

The Wizard will now open up the Central Admin. Your Server is ready to be productive.

There are a set of configurations that are to be completed on the server. The MOSS portal will work even without these configurations. But to utilize the full potential of the MOSS, it is recomended that these steps also to be completed. I will be posting on those steps in my next blog