How to Install SharePoint Server 2007 - Part 1

Install and configure Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) 2007 to create a company intranet portal website for company news, announcements, calendar, document libraries, photo libraries, workflows, etc.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• SharePoint Server 2007 installation CD or
• SharePoint Server 2007 trial version downloaded installation file
• Windows Server 2003 with latest service packs and updates
• Microsoft SQL Server 2005 works best or
• Microsoft SQL Server 2000 will work fine
• Company network LAN
• Network administration and SQL administration experience and permissions or
• Help from network and SQL admins

1. Welcome to the SharePoint Server 2007 installation and configuration guide. Your company's setup should have a stand-alone computer (or virtual machine) loaded with Windows Server 2003 dedicated solely to the SharePoint environment. In addition, there should be a remote SQL Sever environment and there should preferably be an Active Directory environment. Finally, all of these things should be accessible through the company network LAN.
2. Follow the installation instructions found on Bobby Habib's SharePoint Blog:
   
   "How to install SharePoint Server 2007 on a single machine"
   
   Click here or on the link at the bottom of this article:
   http://www.sharepointblogs.com/bobbyhabib/
   archive/2007/09/17/how-to-install-sharepoint-server-
   2007-on-a-single-machine.aspx
   
   I believe the above instructions to be very simple and straight-forward, as I have followed them verbatim myself with 100% success.
   
   You will be performing the following steps:
   
   * Pre-install
   * Base SharePoint Server Install
   * Enter your key
   * Install now
   * Services on Server Configuration
   * Web Application Setup
   * Shared Service Provider Setup
   * Configure Indexing
   
   Total time: About 1 hour
   
   After following the above instructions, your new SharePoint will be up and running smoothly on the very first try.
   
   Based on my experience, there are some additional things that should be configured, as follows.
3. Backup Farm
   
   * Central Administration
   * Operations Tab
   * Perform backup
   * Checkmark farm box
   * Continue (start) backup
   * Select full (recommended to do this at least once a week)
   * Choose location
   * OK
4. Import Active Directory Users
   
   * Central Administration
   * Application Management tab
   * SharedServices1 link on left menu
   * Click User Profiles link
   * Ensure it is the correct domain, if not add new and delete old
   * Import user profiles
   * OK, will not backup databases if they are external
5. Configure Farm-Level Permissions (this permission level allows full access to the entire central administration)
   
   * Central Administration
   * Click Site Actions button (top right corner)
   • Site Settings page displayed
   * Under Users and Permissions heading
   * Click People & Groups link
   * People & Groups: Farm Admins page displayed
   * Click New button, Click Add Users
   * Add desired user to the Farm Admins group
6. Configure Web App-Level Permissions
   
   * Central Administration
   * Application Management tab
   * Click Policy for web app link
   * Click Add Users button
   * Select web app
   * Select users
   * OK, repeat for additional web apps
7. Login to Central Administration
   
   On the server box, use the start menu to open Central Administration. Or if you are a farm admin person, use the browser address from any network computer and login, such as http://servername:port/default.aspx . We use the following address: http://intranet:3447/default.aspx or http://bldkqstl92:3447/default.aspx
8. Congratulations, you have completed Part 1. Next, build the architecture and sites, see Part 2.
   
   Part 1 - Installation
   Part 2 - Configuration

Tips & Warnings

• I used a stand-alone box with a fresh install of Windows Server 2003 regular (but R2 was recommended) and the latest service packs (not a virtual machine, though it should work equally as well). I used a remote SQL Server 2000 (but 2005 was recommended) database located on another server. I had the network administrator assist with the pre-install, such as joining the machine to a domain creating the admin account in the active directory. I had the database admin's assistance with setting up the SQL server for database account and roles.
• I used the free downloadable trial version of Sharepoint Server 2007, and it appears the only missing functionality is the Excel Calculation Services. From entering the license key and on, I had no trouble at all following Bobby's instructions. Everything worked like a charm on the first try. Thanks Bobby! Sharepoint has been up and running smoothly ever since!
• Do not choose the stand-alone installation even though you may be using only one server. Use the advanced installation for a server farm even if you are using only one server box standing alone.