Slipstream is a new installation method in SQL Server where SQL Server RTM + Service Pack + Hotfixes can be packaged together. This feature has been introduced from SQL Server 2008 SP1.
I Just wanted to share Supporting Command Prompt Installation Scenarios please find below :
- We can perform Installing, upgrading, or removing an instance and shared components of SQL Server on a local computer by using parameters and syntax specified at the command prompt.
- We can also perform Installing, upgrading, or removing a FCI failover cluster instance.
- We can perform SQL Server edition Upgrade from one edition to another edition of SQL Server.
- Installing SQL Server instance on a local computer by using syntax and parameters mentioned in a configuration file. we can use this method to copy an installation configuration file to multiple computers for installation.
This Command Prompt Installation is very helpful on Windows Server Core Machines where we have only Command prompt Available to see after logging to Server , as the Server Core installation eliminates services and other features which are not required for the support .
Below is how we should do to SLIP STREAM SQL 2014 and higher versions
- Keep it ready with SQL Server 2014 media
- Keep it ready with Needed SPs, CUs and Hotfixes that you want to Include
- Keep all of the .exe files in one directory
There are two types of slipstream methods.
1) Simple Slipstream
2) Advanced Slipstream
Simple Slipstream (2014):
This is command based installation which requires bit knowledge on installation parameters. Below are the parameters we have to know before starting with this installation.
/Action =Install
/UpdateEnabled= True or 1 or False or 0
/UpdateSource= MU or UNC path or .\Myupdates
Advanced Slipstream (2014)
As you guys helped by copying the SQL 2014 RTM Media and SP3 + KB on Server . I have created a New Folder called UPDATES inside SQL 2014 Media and copied both SP3 , KB [ here I think we need to follow Proper Naming Format for .exe files like SQLServer20XX-kbxxxxxx-Architecture.exe ( Hotfix ) and SQLServer20XXSPX-KBXXXXXXX-x64-ENU.exe ( Service Pack ) ]
After performing above we need to do one more Important step is to Update DefaultSetup.ini File ( which exists in SQL 2014 Installation Media ) by providing the Location of Patches ( here we need to give Updates Folder Location )
Specifying the location where SQL Server setup will obtain checking in Product Updates TAB in Installation
UpdateSource = ” path of patches ” — It can be a local path or UNC shared path or if the patch folder is in Media folder it self we can give it like .\FolderName
Now Once we Start Installation by initiating setup.exe and going through next steps we can see the difference at Product Update TAB
By seeing this above can say that we have Embed all the 3 ( Media + SP + Hotfix ) to make SLIP STREAM Installation ..
Note : This SLIP STREAM Installation was introduced from SQL 2008 onwards but the process of doing Slip Stream in SQL 2008R2 is a bit more complicated compared with the latest releases