I’ve written unattended / silent install before for SQL Server 2005. Unattended install is cool because you can automate things: it saves time and improves consistency.

Here is something to get you started. I used the command below to:

1. Install SQL Server 2008 R2 default instance, including Replication and FullText search;
2. Install client tools such as: SQL Server Management Studio, Business Intelligence Development Studio, sqlcmd, Configuration Manager, and such;
3. Install Books Online so help is available locally.

In other words, it sets things up quickly for a typical OLTP DBA so s/he can start getting dirty and productive with minimal delay and distraction.

Things to keep in mind:

1. I didn’t care much about startup account (SQLSVCACCOUNT and AGTSVCACCOUNT) stuff for my testing here. Modify that as necessary. You can also change the startup account after the install is done. So don’t hang up on that if you don’t know what the domain\userAccount should be. Let the learning process continue;
2. Features is a list of features seperated by comma only, no space in between;
3. /qs is nice if you want visual dialog windows popping up telling you where you are at. It is neat to have that visual confirmation during the first few runs. Once you are comfortable, a simple /q will do;
4. Don’t forget /SQLSYSADMINACCOUNTS. Remember to put that piece in so you can connect after the installation is complete. Kinda important, ya know.

[sourcecode language=”text”]
E:\Installers\SQL>Setup.exe /qs /ACTION=Install /FEATURES=SQL,Tools /INSTANCENAME=MSSQLSERVER /SQLSVCACCOUNT=”NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM”
/SQLSYSADMINACCOUNTS=”.\Administrator” /AGTSVCACCOUNT=”NT AUTHORITY\Network Service” /IACCEPTSQLSERVERLICENSETERMS
[/sourcecode]