You can deploy two single-server configurations: a stand-alone single server, and a single server with Microsoft SQL Server. For more information about single server deployments, see Single Server Deployments.

The stand-alone configuration uses SQL Server Desktop Engine. SQL Server Desktop Engine has limited throughput ability and supports databases with a maximum size of 2 gigabytes (GB). If your deployment requires significant scalability or must store more than 2 GB of documents, it is recommended that you use SQL Server in your deployment.

Operating System and Setup Requirements

Ensure that you have installed Microsoft Windows Server 2003 before you install Microsoft Office SharePoint Portal Server 2003.

Deploy a stand-alone configuration

1. Install SharePoint Portal Server with the database engine on the server.

   Follow the procedures in Installing SharePoint Portal Server with the Database Engine.

2. Optional: Install the components for backward-compatible document libraries on the server.

   Follow the procedures in Installing the Component for Backward-Compatible Document Libraries.

Deploy a single server with SQL Server configuration

1. Install SharePoint Portal Server without the database engine on the server.

   Follow the procedures in Installing SharePoint Portal Server without the Database Engine, with the following settings:

   1. On the Specify Configuration Database Settings for server_name page, click Create configuration database.
   2. On the Change Component Assignments page, select the Web, Search, and Index check boxes. In the Job server box, select the server you are configuring as the job server.
2. Optional: Install the components for backward-compatible document libraries on the server or on another server.

   Follow the procedures in Installing the Component for Backward-Compatible Document Libraries.