Server Installation

In this portion of the site we have published a series of draft white papers on the installation of PowerPivot for SharePoint in various configurations. The white papers have screen shots and detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to install PowerPivot and SharePoint. We hope you find them useful and informative.

Tip: These white papers are ‘print-friendly’. Just right-click on the instructions and print them. The side bars are not included in the print images.

(1) To install PowerPivot on a new single server (RTM), click here. Use this configuration if you have a single server that will be used for all PowerPivot and SharePoint services. It is an “All-In-1” departmental server. After SQL Server setup completes both SharePoint and PowerPivot are all installed, configured and ready to go. This is the simplest and most straightforward installation. It assumes that the installer has only a limited SharePoint expertise. This is a great way of getting started with PowerPivot and, when it is all done, you end up with a tuned and optimized system. Even though it is a single server right now, this configuration is still production ready (e.g. it uses domain accounts). Finally it has the potential for growth if additional resources are needed, such as moving the RDBMS databases off onto its own server and adding new servers for either high availability (add WFEs) or more capacity (add App Servers) to what starts out as a single server system.

Another interesting resource is a 4-part video series available here: http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/install-powerpivot-for-sharepoint-on-a-domain-controller.aspx. This shows you how to install a single “All-In-1″ standalone PowerPivot server with the domain controller role installed, SharePoint, and a “New Server” installation. Very useful if you want to build your first demo system; particularly if you want it installed on a laptop (you must have a domain controller if you disconnect from the network).

(2) To install PowerPivot on an existing SharePoint farm (RTM), click here. This is by far the most complicated configuration. It is for a large, multi-machine farm and assumes the person doing the installation has some SharePoint expertise. Virtually all of the configuration steps have to be done either manually or via scripting. Each machine has its own role, i.e. WFE, App Server, Database Server – and is configured to run the services that have been planned for it. In this configuration, PowerPivot is just one of many services that the SharePoint farm provides.

(3) To install PowerPivot on a new single server with a dedicated DB server (REMOVED) – the initial write up for this was with CTP2 and is not longer applicable. To implement this type of installation, use the Existing Farm installation and move the database as appropriate. Or you can read the newly published “Transitioning from a Single Server to a SharePoint Farm” white paper which outlines various options you have in this area. Click here for additional information and details instructions on how to transition a single server to a multi-machine farm.

(4) To set up Reporting Services integrated with SharePoint (REMOVED) – instructions are now part of the New Server Installation guide and the Existing Farm Installation Guide.

Let’s give credit where credit is due. Lots of folks have spent countless hours working on these documents and we should acknowledge them right now:

Principal author: Leon Cyril (Microsoft Tester, PowerPivot development team)

Secondary authors:

• Denny Lee (Microsoft SQLCAT team)
• Dave Wickert (Microsoft Program Manager, PowerPivot development team)
• Kathy MacDonald (Microsoft Program Manager, PowerPivot development team)

Technical reviewers:

• Jim Howey (Microsoft Program Manager, PowerPoint development team)
• Jennifer Chu (Microsoft Service Engineer, SQL IT Support)
• Heidi Steen (Microsoft Technical Writer, SQL UE team)
• Ed Campbell (Consultant, Murphy & Associates)

Do you have other configurations that you would like to see instructions for?
If so, enter a comment below and we will see if we can do it.

Thanks.