Configuring Sharepoint (part 1)

Wizard? Sounds easy right? What it doesn't say is there is a set of 10 or so choices which will greatly affect how things go, from here on out. So I suggest you take some time to plan your configuration, so you can get it right the first time.

1. Log into the server as the spsetup account
   (I might have said this already - but be sure you DO NOT run the wizard as yourself - Create a seaparate account to log in as when you run it)
   
   Required Permissions:
   a. on the sharepoint server(s) spetup must be a local admin
   b. on the sql server - if spsetup is not a local admin it must have a login in SQL with at least securityadmin and dbcreator roles (better if it's SA and best if it's a local admin)
   
2. Open the Cofiguration Wizard
   Start -> All Programs -> Microsoft Office SharePoint Server -> SharePoint Products and Technologies Configuration Wizard
   
3. Welcome screen, click "Next"
   
4. Warning box, click - "Yes" (it is explaining that you will be resetting IIS and some SharePoint services and asking if that is okay)
   
5. Connect to Server Farm - if this is not a farm or if this is the first server as part of a farm - then choose create new farm (if it is one of the others in the farm choose connect to existing)
   
6. Specify Configuration Database Settings
   :: Database Server: the server name of your SQL server (assumes it is on another server)
   :: Database Name: the Configuration Database name (you might want to put more info in the name so your test and prod db's are recognizable)
   :: Username/password: This account will need the following priveleges (strong pwd)
   - local admin on sql (or at least dbcreator - since it creates the config db)
   - local admin on the webserver (becomes the Apppool identity for the central admin website)
   
7. Completeing Screen - confirming the entries you made
   
8. The last screen allows you to specify the port for your Central Admin site (not your portal) It is a good idea to keep the port for Central Admin consitent in each enviro (for simplicity). I use 10101
   
9. The config wizard will then spin for quite some time - and will show you the progress it's making.

TROUBLESHOOTING:
If you get an error like this:

"failed to create the configuration database" - ensure that the account specified in "username/login" is either a local admin on the SQL box, or is an SA in SQL (or at least has dbcreator rights)

Upon completion the Central Administration website will open
>> Configuring Sharepoint (part 2)

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.