Published on

April 6, 2009

Setting Up a SQL Server Cluster

Welcome to my blog post on setting up a SQL Server cluster. Many people find this process challenging, but with the right knowledge, you can easily set up your own cluster for testing and educational purposes. Please note that this setup should not be used in a production environment.

The biggest challenge in SQL Server clustering is the underlying platform, Windows clustering. Typically, the setup of Windows clustering is the responsibility of the Windows/cluster admin. However, as a DBA, it is beneficial to have the necessary knowledge to set up your own two-node virtual cluster.

Before we begin, it is important to familiarize yourself with the software used in this process. Additionally, you will need to set up the required virtual machines (VMs) and virtual networks. Once you have completed these steps, you can proceed with the following instructions:

  1. Create an account for the cluster service and any accounts you will use for the SQL Server services in Active Directory Users and Computers.
  2. Create a domain group for each of the clustered SQL services (SQL Server, SQL Agent, Full Text, etc).
  3. Boot the first cluster node and configure the “Public” virtual Network Interface Card (vNIC).
  4. Repeat step 3 for the second cluster node.
  5. Create the shared cluster disks by clicking Virtual disks > create > and then selecting the disk type.
  6. Shutdown the operating system on both nodes and configure the SCSI adapters for each shared disk.
  7. Boot the first cluster node, login, and open Windows Disk Management. Initialize each disk and format the partitions as NTFS.
  8. Repeat step 7 for the second cluster node.
  9. Install the first cluster node by opening Cluster Administrator, selecting “create a new cluster,” and following the prompts.
  10. Add the second cluster node by configuring the private IP address and subnet mask, renaming the LAN connections, and using the add node wizard in Cluster Administrator.
  11. Configure the network properties for each network type in Cluster Administrator.

Once you have completed these steps, you will have successfully set up a SQL Server cluster. You can now proceed with installing SQL Server 2005 into the newly created cluster.

Remember, this setup is intended for test and educational purposes only. It is not recommended for use in a production environment. If you encounter any errors during the setup process, review the previous steps and ensure everything is configured correctly.

Thank you for reading my blog post on setting up a SQL Server cluster. I hope you found this information helpful. Stay tuned for more SQL Server-related articles in the future!

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