Where is the Surface Area Configuration tool in SQL Server 2008

Where is the Surface Area Configuration tool in SQL Server 2008

Problem

Suppose we have just installed a new instance of SQL Server 2008 and can't find the Surface Area Configuration tool that we used to use in SQL Server 2005.

How can we manage the Database Engine features in SQL Server 2008?

Solution

Microsoft has removed the Surface Area Configuration tool that was shipped in SQL Server 2005.

The Services and Connections that were once managed in Surface Area Configuration tool should now be managed using the SQL Server Configuration Manager.

So how do we manage the Database Engine features?

We can now manage the Surface Area Configuration for the Database Engine using Policy Based Management.

A new Surface Area Configuration Facet in SQL Server Management Studio exposes the properties necessary to make required changes.

First, right-click on the instance name that you would like to configure in SQL Server Management Studio and select "Facets" from the context menu as shown below.

This will display the View Facets dialog box that will provide us with a drop down of all the available facets that can be configured for the instance.

Select "Surface Area Configuration" from the Facet drop down to display the properties exposed by that facet.

Make the appropriate changes and select OK to apply them to the server.

One interesting feature is the ability to make the appropriate changes for our organization and export them to create a policy using the "Export Current State as Policy..." button.

This allows us to configure this once and use this policy throughout your enterprise.