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Installing SQL Server 2016 - Best Practice
Hi there, For installing a brand new SQL Server installation is it best practice to use the administrator account on the server or create a separate dedicated user to run the installer? If it is best practice to use a separate dedicated user are there any specific privileges that they will need granted? TIA
As long as the account has permissions on the server, it's my opinion you can install it with either. The key is to hardened the instance after the install is complete. I've never used a dedicated "install account" to install SQL rather just used my own domain credentials.
JohnM, thank you very much. Do you know of any good links to hardening the instance after install? This is the first time I have done a fresh install on a production server.
Use a local administrator account for the install. You could create another account, but I'm not sure of the value that comes from using a separate account. Your installation account needs to be able to alter the file system ACLs, create services, and make registry changes. There may be other needs, but using an administrative account is the way that I have always done installations.
Note: I would recommend that you ensure you can run unattended installations, which will allow you to autoamte this process and ensure consistent installations.
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