Installation of SQL Server Engine#

Querona supports Microsoft SQL Server as a store of metadata information. If you do not have a database server available, you may configure a local SQL Server Express, which is a free, entry-level database server from Microsoft.

The recommended way of database engine installation is an automated process described in this manual. Process automates all installation aspects, speeds it up and minimizes the possibility of errors.

Please consider a fully manual install described here only if an automated process is not sufficient for your requirements.

Note

Installing Querona databases involves a set of operations that require a high degree of privilege - these include creating databases, provisioning logins for service accounts, and more. Technically, all that is required is membership in the ServerAdmin role; ALTER ANY LOGIN, CREATE ANY DATABASE, and VIEW ANY DEFINITION server scoped permissions; and CONTROL permission on the master database. Membership in the SysAdmin server role will confer all of these memberships and permissions and is the easiest way to ensure that Querona configuration will succeed. If necessary, these memberships and permissions can be revoked after Querona is installed.

Obtain the SQL Server installation package#

Navigate to Microsoft SQL Server download page , select your preferred language and download the installation package. English language is recommended and is assumed in this manual.

Run downloaded install package and choose Download Media.

Download media

Select English language, choose Express Core and enter download location. Click Download.

Downloading...

Wait for the download to finish successfully.

Download successful

Click Open folder to navigate to the folder that holds downloaded offline installation file named SQLEXPR_x64_ENU.exe and proceed with automated installation described below.

Automated SQL Server engine installation#

Step 1. Copy automation script#

Copy automation script install-local-sql-express.cmd from Querona setup folder into folder holding SQL Server installation file downloaded.

Step 2. Edit default passwords stored in installation script#

Open script install-local-sql-express.cmd and change 2 command line parameters holding passwords:

  • SAPWD=”enter_SA_password”

  • SQLSVCPASSWORD=”enter_sql_service_password”

Note

It is not recommended to keep default passwords.

Step 3. Run installation script#

Run the script install-local-sql-express.cmd by double-clicking it. Windows console windows will appear. If prompted for administrative elevation, click Yes.

Console installation

Wait for script and installation to finish.

SQL Server installation progress

When finished, SQL installation window and the console window will close automatically.

Ensure that installation completed successfully by opening Windows PowerShell window and executing the script:

get-service 'MSSQL$QMETA'

The script should return information about SQL Server service running:

Powershell verification

Step 4. Open Windows firewall ports#

Open PowerShell or command prompt, paste and execute the following script:

netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="SQLBrowserAPP" dir=in action=allow program="C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Shared\sqlbrowser.exe" enable=yes
netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="SQLServerAPP" dir=in action=allow program="C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL13.QMETA\MSSQL\Binn\sqlservr.exe" enable=yes

The script adds two firewall rules that allow connectivity to your newly installed SQL Server Express.

That concludes automated SQL Server installation procedure. Please proceed with Install Querona.