Resolve errors installing Microsoft SQL Server using the puppetlabs-sqlserver module and a UNC path as the source in Puppet Enterprise

When you try to install Microsoft SQL Server using the puppetlabs-sqlserver module, a UNC path as the source, and running the agent service as LocalUser, it fails with file not found errors in the installer.

Version and installation information

PE version: 2016.4 and later
OS: Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 and later

Solution

Installation fails because the LocalUser does not have permission to access network authentication available to the computer object. To fix the issue, use Puppet code to create a symlink on the primary server (formerly called the master) to a copy of the installer local to the node you’re installing Microsoft SQL Server on.

Note: If you change permissions for the computer object, it might cause issues with User Account Control (UAC).

1. On the primary server, put the following code in manifest.pp to reference the installer file you are symlinking to, symlink to it, and pass it to the source of the installer.

   # Reference the file we want to symlink locally
       $sqlinstall = 'C:/BaseSP1'
   
   # Link it
       file { $sqlinstall :
       ensure => link,
       target => '\\\\NICKY-PC\\DRIVE\\SQLInstall\\2012\\Base_SP1'
       }
   
   # Then pass it to the source of the installer
   
       sqlserver_instance{ 'MSSQLSERVER':
       source => $sqlinstall,}

2. Apply the manifest on the node where you are installing SQL server.

You should now be able to install Microsoft SQL Server.