Complete Install of MOSS using local accounts

The complete installation on a single server using non-domain accounts. The recommendation for a single server build of SharePoint 2010 is to use the Stand Alone installation giving you SQL express and a default configuration.

But what if you want to use SQL Server 2008 and to have more control over the build, and to use local service accounts. To begin with carry out your SharePoint 2010 installation using the advanced option and complete as the server type. This is recommended in a farm configuration. Results in

SharePoint Products Configuration Wizard version 14.0.4514.1009. Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation 2010.
All rights reserved.
The specified user SPSRV\administrator is a local account.
Local accounts should only be used in stand alone mode.

Solution:

So how do we get around this limitation without using the corporate domain or else promoting the server to a domain controller. Windows PowerShell is your friend, New-SPConfigurationDatabase allows you to specify none domain credentials for the farm.

To execute this command launch the SharePoint 2010 management shell (in the same location as the central admin link) and simply type the command at the cursor and press enter.

The Shell willl ask you for:
The database name: choose any name, for example MOSS2010_ConfigDB
The database Server name: type the name of your DBServer

You will be then prompt for the system account credential. It is now the time to pass the credential of the FARM service account. Don’t forget the machine (domain) name otherwise you will get an exception of the SharePoint shell.

Then you are asked for a passphrase that matches the security policies. This passphrase will be asked when you will add a new server to the SharePoint Farm.

After this completes, you will find in SQL a new configuration database and an admin content database.

Next the simplest way to complete the installation is revery back to PSConfigUI as you now are starting with the server already joined to the farm.

Follow the wizard through the same options as you had with SharePoint 2007 and complete the installation/configuration with the following screen.

Clicking Finish launches the central admin website.