Setting up SharePoint 2010 in a single server environment is even easier than it was on MOSS. The Microsoft SharePoint Product and Technologies 14 Preparation Tool (or as I like to call it the prep tool) takes a wizard approach to checking for and then setting up perquisites for SharePoint’s installation. The prep tool (packaged with the preview edition of SharePoint 14) is pretty limited with options and you pretty much get all or nothing. I am hoping before RTM you will get more choices.
Anyway, after that is complete you then install the bits. The screens are almost exactly the same as MOSS and I do expect them to change. I won’t go into much detail here. I selected complete like I do with the majority of MOSS installations.
Once the wizard completes, you have SharePoint 14 installed and then it asks you if you would like to run the Configuration Wizard, so select yes.
The SharePoint Products and Technologies Configuration Wizard looks very similar to the MOSS wizard except with the addition of one screen. You are now required to enter a passphrase which you will use to make changes to the farm configuration. I only setup one server in my farm so didn’t use this. I also wonder the use of this since you are required to enter the password of the farm account to connect to the configuration database. I guess there was some need.
Enter the port for your Central Administration Website and select NTLM or Kerberos. Click next twice and the wizard sets your SharePoint Environment. You are then taken to Central Administration to finishing setting up the farm.
You are given the option to have SharePoint walk you through the rest of the setup or you can configure the farm yourself. For simple installs just follow the wizard it makes it a snap to configure.
In single server environments you will just need to input your user accounts and you are pretty much done. If you want to administer an individual service go Services on Server and click on that service. Overall the layout of Central Admin makes much more sense and is easier to navigate since you no longer have the SSP Site to deal with.
