SQL Server 2008 Express Edition: Installing on a Domain Controller

If you try to install SQL Server 2008 Express Edition on a machine which acts as a Domain Controller using the packaged Web Platform installer, it will fail and you will see an error in the installation log.

This is because it will attempt to install using Network Service as the default account, which is not allowed on a domain controller. If you look in the logs, you will see an error such as:

Network Service or Local Service account is not permitted for the SQL Server service on a domain controller

If you experience this issue, you need to do a customised installation. This blog post highlights the issues involved and has links to the appropriate installlers to get you up and running.

NOTE: Microsoft do not recommend installing SQL Server on a Domain Controller, so you need to think about your performance requirements and the potential issues such an installation may cause.