So now that our domain is built, servers are configured and SharePoint 2019 template is installed, we need to prep the servers that will be running SharePoint for the installation. We have done most of the work already, but some steps need to be done for the install to go smoothly. In this post, I’ll show you how to finish prepping the servers to effect an easy install which we will accomplish in the next post. I am going to do as much of this with PowerShell in because we will be doing this on multiple servers. PowerShell scripts are the easiest for ensuring correct, repeatable steps.
This is a multi-part series. You can see what is coming and review other posts in the series by clicking one of the following links:
- Microsoft Azure – Prepping the Azure Environment for SharePoint 2019
- Microsoft Azure – Configure Azure Network Resources for SharePoint 2019
- Microsoft Azure – Build Storage Resources for Azure SharePoint 2019
- Microsoft Azure – Creating the Domain Controller
- Microsoft Azure – Configuring the Domain Controller Network
- Microsoft Azure – Configuring DNS and Active Directory
- Microsoft Azure – Build SharePoint Server Virtual Machine
- Microsoft Azure – Deploy SQL Server
- Microsoft Azure – Build SharePoint 2019 Template with AutoSPInstaller
- Microsoft Azure – Prepping SharePoint Servers (this post)
- Microsoft Azure – Installing SharePoint 2019
- Microsoft Azure – Add a Load Balancer for External Access
Prep the Folder Structure
As you may have noticed when we build the templates, the servers are going to require a certain file structure for the install. The file structure is for installing the binaries, but also for storing data within SharePoint. We need to ensure the following folders exist on each server:
- C:\SharePoint2019\
- C:\SharePoint2019\Installation
- C:\SharePoint2019\Data
- C:\SharePoint2019\SearchIndex (Search Server(s) only)
- C:\SharePointLogs\
- C:\SharePointLogs\ULS
- C:\SPInstall\SP2019
To do this run the following script on each server:
#Get the server name. This will be used to control conditions based on the server
$servdername = $env:computername;
#Following commands create the full structure so if lowest folder is created then all folders created
New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path C:\SharePoint2019\Installation -Force;
New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path C:\SharePoint2019\Data -Force;
New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path C:\SharePointLogs\ULS -Force;
New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path "C:\SPInstall\SP2019\Install Media" -Force;
if($servdername -eq "DREVAZURESPSRCH")
{
New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path C:\SharePoint2019\SearchIndex -Force;
}
It will create the necessary structure and only add the extra where needed:
Prepare Install Files
Next, we are going to prep the environment for our installation media. The intent here is to be able to “slipstream” our installation media. Slipstreaming is the packaging of installation media along with all of the service packs, updates and if necessary, add-ons. First, we need to copy the SharePoint ISO onto the server.
Next, we are going to install “AutoSPSourceBuilder”. This tool allows you to download all of the prerequisites, service packs (if any) and the latest CU\PU patches you wish to install. It will then write them all to a location of your choosing and prepare them for a slipstream installation.
The servers will need Nuget first to be able to continue. First, find the latest version.
Find-PackageProvider -Name "Nuget" -AllVersions -force
As of the creation of this post, 2.8.5.208 is the latest version so we will install that one.
Install-PackageProvider -Name "Nuget" -RequiredVersion "2.8.5.208" -Force
Next, install the AutoSPSourceBuilder tool:
Install-Script -Name AutoSPSourceBuilder -Force
The next step has us building our slipstream install. The command I am using will indicate the SP2019 source location, where I want to put the slipstreamed information, where to put the patches (UpdateLocation), the CU to get and to get all the pre-requisites SP2019 requires. Note, as per the documentation the CU text format in the command should be Month Year (ex. June 2019).
AutoSPSourceBuilder.ps1 -SharePointVersion "2019" -SourceLocation "E:" -Destination "C:\SPInstall\SP2019" -UpdateLocation "C:\SPInstall\SP2019\Patches" -CumulativeUpdate "June 2019" -GetPrerequisites
Once complete you will find all the files necessary to install SP2019 to the CU level you selected. You will find the pre-requisites in the PrerequisiteInstallerFiles folder and the patches in the Updates folder. You could run the process on each server if you wish, but the easiest method is probably just to copy the files off to each server.
Prepare Web Server for Remote Setup
AutoSPInstaller will utilize Remote PowerShell to install SharePoint from the app server. But before that can happen we have to configure the webserver for remote connections by PowerShell.
To configure the WFE server run the following PowerShell commands:
#Enable Credential Security Support
Enable-WSManCredSSP –Role Server;
#Disable Kerberos and Negotiate Authentication
winrm set winrm/config/service/Auth @{Kerberos="false"};
winrm set winrm/config/service/Auth @{Negotiate="false"}
#Allow Remote Server Management
Configure-SMRemoting.exe -enable
To make sure the settings are set up properly run this command on the App server
Test-WSMan srv-sp2019WFE
If it was successful you will receive the following:
Next step will be installing SharePoint 2019.
Thanks for reading!
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