Q. Can I install SQL Server on Windows Server Core?

A. SQL Server isn't currently supported on Windows Server Core. Server Core is primarily a platform for key Server Roles. With Windows Server 2008, SQL Server couldn't run on Server Core because Server 2008's Server Core had no .NET Framework support. Server 2008 R2 supports the .NET Framework with Server Core and there is a way to install SQL Server, but SQL Server isn't officially supported. The process for installing SQL Server is too long for me to detail here and I haven't tried it, but you should be able to find directions online.

Related Reading:

Check out hundreds more useful Q&As like this in John Savill's FAQ for Windows. Also, watch instructional videos made by John at ITTV.net.