CenterPoint Fund Accounting - Installing CenterPoint on a Domain Controller

Document #: 3223 Product: CenterPoint®

For security and performance reasons, it is NOT recommended that you install SQL Server® on a domain controller. Domain controllers are primarily used for authentication purposes and do not support local users which SQL Server relies on. There are security restrictions when running SQL Server on a domain controller and it opens up some potential security risks that we believe should not be taken. Also, the domain controller tasks may result in decreased SQL Server performance.

Another concern is that SQL Server is not supported on a read-only domain controller. Setup will usually fail and even if you find a way to work around the problem with setup, SQL Server is not supported on a read-only domain controller.

There are two options that would allow you to use your domain controller:

  • Separate your domain controller hardware from your application software hardware.
  • Setup a virtual machine on the domain controller and use that for your SQL Server installation.

If you decide to use any of the options discussed above, you will need to have your network technician make the necessary changes or setup the virtual machine. Red Wing Software will not assist in the installation and configuration of SQL Server on a Domain Controller.

For more information, please refer to the following articles from Microsoft®: