Adding an extra server to an existing SharePoint farm – Windows Server 2008

Step 1: Install and prepare the server

1. Install your favorite flavour of Windows Server 2008 (x86/x64, Standard/Enterprise)
2. Change administrator password at the initial login
3. In Server Manager set time zone, IP-address, and domain member ship. Reboot if needed.
4. Still in Server Manager, enable automatic updating and feedback if you feel like it.
5. It is always a good idea to Download and install updates.
6. Now, let’s add the IIS Role:
   • Select Add Roles
   • Click Next
   • Add the Web Server (IIS)-role
   • Add Required Features
   • Click Next three times
   • Click Install be begin the installation
   • Click Close once completed
7. Time to add the -Net Framework 3.0:
   • Click Add Feature
   • Select the .Net Framework 3.0 Features
   • Add the Required Role Services
   • Click Next three times
   • Click Install be begin the installation
   • Click Close once completed
8. Close Server Manager
9. Add the MOSS installation account to the local administrators group

Step 2: Slipstreaming MOSS installation files

Why not have the MOSS/WSS service packs applied automatically  when installing the new server? I recommend using the slipstreaming method described here. However, if you plan to add the server to a farm that is not on SP1 yet, slipstreaming is not recommended!

Step 3: Installing MOSS 2007

1. Install using the MOSS installation account
2. Start the MOSS installation by running setup.exe in the x86 or x64 directory depending on your architecture 
3. Enter your license key and accept the license agreement
4. Select Advanced and Complete install
5. Run the SharePoint Product and Technologies Configuration Wizard
6. Connect to an existing farm
7. Enter the MOSS database server end click Retrieve Database Names. The Database Name and User Name fields are automatically populated. Enter the password and click Next
8. In Advanced Setting make sure that this server will not host the Central Administration site and click Next
9. In Central Administration navigate to Operations and use Servers in farm to verify it was indeed added to the farm and that theVersion match the other servers.
10. That’s it. All that remains is to configure the new server for the purpose it is intended (Web Front-end, indexing etc)