Adding components to an existing SQL Server is a tricky process. In this blog post, Rickatron shows how this is performed so you can proceed confidently.

I don’t know about you, but I deal with a lot of applications that require SQL Server as their back end database. I like SQL Server for many reasons. For starters, it is broadly supported by applications. But probably most importantly, is that I feel I can support it to a certain extent.

That is until I need to do a big change to the installation. Recently, I had to add a component to an existing SQL Server 2008 R2 database. The component was the SQL Full-Text Search and is required for System Center 2012, which I was performing as a new install. I definitely didn’t want to add another database, so the next option was to add the component to the existing central DB server. But, SQL Full-Text Search isn’t a default component that is installed. The fix was easy, but it’s not exactly what you may think.

Figure A

My default reaction was to run the setup again from the DVD and add the component. I’ll save you the hassle -- that doesn’t work. What we need to do is go into the Programs and Features applet and add the component to the existing installation. This step is shown in

This is where we can change the SQL Server components (click to enlarge)

Figure B

Once we add features, we will then be prompted for the DVD for the setup to run. But, it’s important to note that it has to be launched from the Programs and Features applet. The feature can then be selected explicitly from the setup wizard to add the SQL Full-Text Search component as shown in

The components that need to be added are selected here

Figure C

The final step is to specify the instance where SQL Full-Text Search is to be installed. In my practice, I live in a world of default instantiation of SQL Server instances, and generally don’t put multiple instances on one Windows Server. Nonetheless, it is a supported configuration to add SQL Full-Text Search to one instance yet not another on a server that has multiple SQL Servers. This step is shown inbelow:

The SQL Server instance is selected here.

The process of adding a SQL Server Component, in this example, SQL Full-Text Search, is quite simple. But, it can be disconcerting to go and make big changes to a SQL Server that is in use, especially if you don’t have a DBA on staff to go to for specific expertise.

Do you make frequent component changes to SQL Server? If so, what types? Also, do you change the default options to prevent changes like this down the road? Share your SQL Server tips below!