Hey Folks….Let me share my experiences with Installing SQL Server 2014 CTP1 which got released couple of weeks ago. It was pretty straightforward if you are already aware of Installing SQL Server 2008-2012(With few GOTCHAS). I tried Installing on Windows Server 2008R2 and I got the below shown message.
So…now you know what you need to begin with. Then it did checked setup rules, then asked me to select the Version and blah blah, selected features without any Issues as shown below.
Here came the trouble. Setup process terminated right here asking for .Net framework 3.5 Sp1. Whoooops!
Well, I went ahead and enabled that feature and continued the setup. This time everything went well…
I’ve selected my data directories…From here on it’s just matter of clicking Next->Next. Viola! It’s done after 15 mins or so…
Note: Things to Remember:
- Make sure you are running on required Service pack at minimum (in my case it was SP1 for Win 2008R2).
- Enable .Net Frame Work 3.5 SP1 ahead of Installing SQL Server.
- SQL Server 2014 CTP1 doesn’t support side-by-side Installations(Bummer, so you need a new machine(I built a new VM in my case) without any previous versions of SQL installed on it). Well, IMHO it’s always better to build a new VM for playing/testing/learning CTP’s or any new Softwares/Versions.
- SQL Server 2014 CTP1 should be managed/connected using only SSMS which comes with SQL 2014 CTp1.
- 64 Bit Only, 32 Bit guys….it’s time to move on :)
- Also, I noticed when I double clicked on setup.exe, the initial welcome screen still says ” SQL Server 2012 Setup! ” Well, this is CTp1, I personally consider this as CTP for a CTP at this stage
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Install it for yourself and get started playing with brand new features of SQL Server 2014 
Have fun…….
