Deploying SQL Server After Initial Installation

Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2000 includes a new method for distributing a disk image of an installation. When an installation is first created, it is marked as a new installation. When the server is restarted after installation, SQL Server 2000 verifies that the server name has not changed. If the server name has changed, an automatic correction is made.

This functionality allows Independent Service Vendors to install SQL Server 2000, stop the server, clone the disk image, and then distribute it as required. On the first startup of the distributed server, the name correction is made.

This process can be done only one time. If the server is restarted and then stopped, a new SQL Server installation must be created to be distributed as an image during deployment.