What service accounts to use when installing SQL Server 2008 on a Dev Box

Question

I am installing SQL Server 2008 on my development machine and during the install I am asked to assign accounts to the different services. What account should I use for the servi

Answer 1

If you are not on a domain, then you can use a local user account, and you can use still access from another machine. You just have to match the username and password (that domain or machine part doesn't matter.

example: devmachine\Andy homemachine\Andy

Andy can access his devmachine from his homemachine. At least, the user authentication will pass. Good luck setting up the firewall, ports, and the like.

Answer 2

If it's a dev machine, I generally just go with SYSTEM. Otherwise, I try to use a domain account, since I often need to kick off SSIS packages with SQL Server Agent, and it's nice if I can just use that service account instead of creating the proxies necessary.

Answer 3

Only use a domain account if you need your SQL Server instance to communicate with other instances, Exchange or any other network services. Otherwise just create a dedicated local system account.

Answer 4

You cannot use NT AUTHORITY\LOCAL SERVICE. Also you cannot use a local account.

The recommended way is to use a domain account. Next best thing is NT AUTHORITY\NETWORK SERVICE.

Answer 5

I prefer to make a dedicated local account for SQL Services with no special rights, then let the SQL Server installer grant only the necessary perms to that account. It feels safer.