BEST PRACTICES ACCORDING TO MICROSOFT

• Install only those components that you will use immediately. Microsoft recommends that you create a list of components that you will be using, and only enable those. If the need arises, you can install the additional components at that time. The components in a SQL Server installation are the Database Engine, Analysis Services Engine, Reporting Services, Integration Services, Notification Services, and Documents and Samples.

• Enable only the optional features you will use, and review optional feature usage before doing an in-place upgrade and disable unneeded features. Microsoft recommends that you create a list of the optional features that you will use, and only turn those on. If this is an existing SQL Server that is being upgraded, they recommend creating the same list, and disabling any optional features not on the list. These optional features are CLR Integration, OLE Automation, remote use of a dedicated administrator connection, Database Mail and SQL Mail, OpenRowset and OpenDataSource functions, SQL Server Web Assistant, and xp_cmdshell availability.

• Develop a policy with respect to permitted network connectivity choices and for the usage of optional features. Microsoft recommends defining policies that would be company wide on Connectivity Choices and the use of optional features. They also recommend using SQL Server Surface Area Configuration to standardize this policy and documenting exceptions to the policy on a perinstance basis.

• Turn off unneeded services by setting the service to either Manual startup or Disabled. Microsoft recommends going into the service management area and setting all services that you will not be using.