Installing Microsoft Operations Manager 2005 is not as simple as it might sound. Depending on what version of the software you are installing and the type of installation you are performing, the prerequisites for your installation will vary and the effort you will need to put into the installation will determine how well the installation performs later. There are three basic types of installations that you will need to consider, and each type of installation has its own requirements. This chapter is meant to walk you through the various pitfalls that might confront you as you perform your MOM 2005 installation.