sql server clustering: Hi,
I have configured a win2k3 4 node active/active sql 2005 cluster. I am a bit
confused on the ative active part. Presently I have 1 virtual server, which
runs fine on one of the nodes. How do I take advantage of the other nodes ?
I want to utilize all the nodes, keeping in mind that if 1 fails, the
cluster will handle the node until brought back online.

My question is, what is my next move ? Im thinking another virtual server,
and if so, how do I create this...simply through the cluster interface ?
Thanks for the help,

Hello Mike,

I am not entirely sure if I understood your question. Did you mean that you
installed a virtual server to use less then 4 nodes and you now want to add
nodes to the cluster? If so, you have to do that via the Add/Remove Software
control panel. Click on the entry of SQL Server to start the setup. From
there, it is pretty straightforward to add another node of the cluster to
the virtual server. Be aware that there is a nasty bug in SQL Server setup
on clusters that might require you to be logged out of the node you want to
add. Also be aware of the fact that you have to add SP1 on the new node,
which leads to some downtime (approximately 15 minutes).

Or did you mean that you want to install a second virtual server in order to
actively utilize more than one node at a time (by spreading instances over
several nodes)? If so, it is even simpler. You just have to create a
seperate cluster group for each instance (each with a hard disk resource)
and start setup. Everything else is the same as in the setup of the first
virtual server instance. The only thing you have to be aware of though is
that even with multiple virtual servers you can have only one default
instances. The other instances have to be named instances.

Or did you mean something entirely else?

Best regards
Nils Loeber

"Mike" <michae1l@twtr.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:7a813226360e43a99097e450541600f8@ureader.com...
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I'm not quite sure I understand what you are asking. There is no such thing
as an active/active SQL Server cluster. You can install multiple instances
of SQL Server into your cluster. You will need to create a group for each
instance that will have dedicated disk resources. It will need to have a
different name and a separate IP address. Getting additional instances into
your cluster is a matter of rerunning SQL Server setup and installing
another clustered instance. Then you can designate each instance to run on
a different node, but it is only accessible from a single node at any given
time.

--
Mike
http://www.solidqualitylearning.com
Disclaimer: This communication is an original work and represents my sole
views on the subject. It does not represent the views of any other person
or entity either by inference or direct reference.


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OK,

We want to add multiple instances of SQL within the cluster.
After reading the posts, it makes perfect sense to me.

I have configured an extra resource on our SAN, and went through the sql
install, assiging a new Instance,and Ip address. Once the sytem gets the the
SQL Database Dervices section, it fails, stating that it cant start the SQL
Server service.

Anyone else come across this ?
thanks,