Just created a checklist to help in deciding if one should install stand-alone mode Microsoft Project Server 2013 or not. You get a choice at the time of Microsoft SharePoint 2013 install to either do a complete install or stand-alone install. Here I am focusing on the later option.
- stand-alone mode install is quicker and simpler compared to complete install.
- stand-alone mode installs Web front end, Application and Database server on a Single machine.
- Microsoft says that “This configuration is useful for demonstration.” and I would completely agree because if you hit any limitations, it may involve more effort for you to upgrade it.
- SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) and OLAP are not present in the stand-alone configurations. Analysis Services and OLAP functionality can be configured to use a different instance of SQL Server if you want. However, doing so is a complicated task and not much of help is available out there. This also means that those users who are used to create reports in MS Excel using OLAP cubes will be unable to do so.
- Microsoft recommends installing the standalone configuration on a computer that has at least 24GB of RAM. So, RAM requirement is on a higher side.
- This install automatically installs SQL server 2008 R2 express with Service pack 1 which has following limitations:
- Maximum 10 GB per database.
- Uses no more than 1 processor.
- Uses no more than 1 GB of internal memory
If you hit one of the above limitations, you have to upgrade the SQL server 2008 R2 express: Please reference this article to understand upgrade options.
- This is not an ideal configuration for a test upgrade from Microsoft Project Server 2010 to 2013 either if the database size in PS 2010 environment is more than 10 GB ,which is mostly the case, because you will have to upgrade SQL server express in order to do test upgrade.
- Project Server 2013 single server install automatically configures all services for you like Excel services, Secure store services etc.
- Project Server 2013 single server install automatically creates a PWA site when SharePoint configuration wizard completes at the end of install process.
Hope it helps! If you have any questions please contact us.
