<p>I have found many tutorials about using Windows Server 2003 as a development machine, and very little information about Windows Server 2008 for the same purpose.</p>

<p>For a nicer experience, I have followed the steps from <a href="http://www.win2008workstation.com/wordpress/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Convert your Windows Server 2008 to a Workstation</a>.</p>

<p>I am searching for the requirements and installation order for IIS 7 with IIS 6 compatibility mode, .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 (does it require the installation of <code>.NET Framework 3.0</code> feature, or can be installed directly), SQL Server 2005 SP2 (with Reporting services and Analysis Services), Visual Studio 2008 SP1.</p>

.NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 - installation order
System Update Readiness Tool
.NET Framework 3.0 (Windows Server 2008 feature)
.NET Framework 3.5 SP1 (full package)
An update for the .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 is available (KB959209)
.NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 - links
Before you install .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 on Windows Vista or Windows 2008 Server, make sure that Windows Update service is turned on.
Description of the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Vista and for Windows Server 2008
- Since the .NET Framework 2.0 and 3.0 are OS components on Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, they rely on the OS component store to be in a good state to be able to install correctly (quoted from
here
)
Unified .NET Framework Troubleshooting Guide