SQL Server Template

[jwhites]

Does anyone have any guidlines for making a vmware template with SQL server installed?

I see some people installing it using the SQL sysprep, I see some people installing it, configuring it and then running some DB script after each deployment to change the sql server name, and others do nothing at all?

What is the best way to do this? Is any of this really needed?

[vmrulz]

This is not the first time this has been bantered about. Re: Gold Template for MS SQL

Being a part time SQL admin I'd tend to agree with the general consensus that it is a bad idea. Google tells me there are ways to perhaps make your SQL installs easier and repeatable though such as a silent install How to: Install SQL Server 2008 from the Command Prompt