Changes in the Installation Process of SQL Server 2022

Introduction:

The SQL Server 2022 software has been designed and implemented as the latest release to have the highest level of integration with Microsoft Azure compared to previous versions. In this article, we have attempted to briefly address these changes.

Installation Prerequisites:

To install SQL Server 2022 software, the following prerequisites must be met:

- Minimum RAM requirement is 4 gigabytes. Please note that this amount of RAM is not suitable for operational environments. For the Express version, this requirement is 1 gigabyte, and if you intend to use services related to DQS (Data Quality Service), you need to add 2 gigabytes to the previous values.

- Like previous versions, this edition of SQL Server can only be installed on a 64-bit environment.

- Minimum disk space required is 6 gigabytes.

- The minimum supported operating system version is Windows 10 or Windows Server 2016.

Free Versions of SQL Server 2022:

- Developer Edition: This edition is identical to the Enterprise Edition and covers all features. The only difference, according to Microsoft documentation, is the support provided for the software.

- Express Edition: This edition is also free but comes with very limited capabilities.

Tip:

SQL Server 2022 software supports installation on Windows, and Linux operating systems, as well as running in Docker environments.

New Changes in the Installation Process:

In the setup process of SQL Server 2022, there have been some changes compared to previous versions, which we will address below.

The first change in the setup process is related to the Edition window. As you can see in the screenshot below, at this stage, we are presented with three options:

- Specify a free edition: You can install one of the free editions of SQL Server without having a license, which is suitable for small software applications or development and non-operational environments.

- Use pay-as-you-go billing through Microsoft Azure: If you have an Azure subscription, you can utilize this option. This type of installation allows you to manage costs for the SQL Server service and is suitable when you intend to use the service for a specific period. All features, including scaling out or scaling down, are available, and you will be billed monthly based on your usage. By choosing this option, Microsoft provides you with access to both Standard and Enterprise editions.

- Enter Production Key: If you have purchased a license, Microsoft provides you with a Product Key that you can use for installation. As you can see in the screenshot, by selecting this option, there are two sections available. The first option is applicable if you have purchased one of the plans related to SA or Software Assurance (These plans offer benefits in managing software updates, support management, and migration processes). Your payment will be lower, and if you are not using these plans, only the second option should be selected.

In the continuation of the installation process, a new section called Azure Extension for SQL Server has been added. This feature allows you to configure SQL Server to use Azure Active Directory. After making these configurations, your bill will be issued monthly based on your usage. For this purpose, you must have an active Azure account. If for any reason you did not intend to apply these settings during installation, you can apply them later through the Azure portal or Azure API services.

In the continuation of the installation, you will encounter the Feature Selection window, where you will notice some changes. However, certain services may no longer be available, so you will not see them on this page. Therefore, based on your needs, you can select the features you require for the installation.

After selecting the desired features for installation, there are no significant changes in subsequent steps compared to previous versions. You can proceed with the installation process until completion without encountering any major alterations.