Hi all

We are planning to set up the following Cluster design

4 nodes running 2003 EE and SQL 2000 EE. 2 active nodes and 2 passive for fail over. (In the futre a couple more active nodes will be added.

Behind the cluster will be an EMC Calriion SAN. All nodes will have 2 HBAs connected to the san through 2 different fibre switches

On the SAN we will have 4 LUNS. 2 LUNs will be dedicated to each active node.

My question: Will assigning two LUNs to an active node work correctly? In the past I have only assigned 1 LUN to a Host. Can 2 SAN LUNs on the same hostfail over correctly with server 2003? Each LUN will be a different drive letter and live production databases will be on each of the LUNS

Thanks for any ideas or suggestions. Also, please forward any replies to jiles@jiles.or

Jiles McCoy

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Comments Inline

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Geoff N. Hiten
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Senior Database Administrator
Careerbuilder.com

I support the Professional Association for SQL Server
www.sqlpass.org

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fail over. (In the futre a couple more active nodes will be added.)
(GNH) Why 2 passive? Go with either three nodes or three instances. I have
a 4-node, 3-instance cluster that runs great. One failover node should be
enough. I f I have one node down, you better believe I am working on
getting the system back online. If you have enough horsepower, all you will
need to do is adjust the memory settings so that all instances can live
comfortably on one server. Also, be aware that SQL 2000 EE can only install
to 4 nodes in a cluster. BTW, what hardware are you looking at for the host
nodes?
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connected to the san through 2 different fibre switches.
(GNH) Sounds familiar. :) Very familiar.
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Actually, you assign the LUNS to all nodes in the cluster and let MSCS
handle arbitrating ownership. The EMC install guy will deal with that.

[quoted text, click to view]
the past I have only assigned 1 LUN to a Host. Can 2 SAN LUNs on the same
hostfail over correctly with server 2003? Each LUN will be a different drive
letter and live production databases will be on each of the LUNS.
(GNH)Again, sounds familiar. I have one instance that has 4 LUNS assigned.
When you create the instance, it will use one LUN. Just add the extra
LUN(s) to the Virtual Server resource group for the particular instance and
make SQL dependant on them. Everything else happens normally.
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(GNH) Configuring a 4-node cluster takes a lot of discipline. Document
everything and plan procedures ahead with a checklist. You will lose track
and miss something important if you don't.

I prefer to help in the newsgroups where the entire community can benefit.
I consider private answers to be consulting and that isn't free.

--
Geoff N. Hiten
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Senior Database Administrator
Careerbuilder.com

I support the Professional Association for SQL Server
www.sqlpass.org

[quoted text, click to view]
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