Ensure that your version of SQL Server has a supported upgrade path.

Back up all your databases, including system databases.

Run SQL Server Upgrade Advisor to prepare for the upgrade to SQL Server 2012.

Verify that your hardware and software meet the minimum requirements for SQL Server 2012.

Stop replication and make sure that the replication log is empty.

Ensure that all the database server logons are stored in the master database.

Estimate the disk space required for the components being upgraded and ensure that suf-ficient disk space is available.

When you are ready to upgrade, you will repeat most of the steps from the "Installing SQL Server" section of this chapter. The main differences will involve the configuration. The setup detects older version of SQL Server with support upgrade paths and then guides you through the process.