Wednesday, October 7, 2009

SQL Server 2008 Active-Passive/Active-Active Cluster Installation

Like SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2008 supports clustering using both the Standard and Enterprise editions. The Standard edition supports a two-node cluster, and the Enterprise edition supports the maximum number of nodes that the OS supports 

The biggest changes in SQL Server 2008 cluster is that you can now use DHCP for clustering and use IP addresses from different subnets for each side of the cluster. The ability to use IP addresses from different subnets is most useful for creating multisite clusters, called geographically distributed clusters.

SQL Server Cluster Installation

Step 1: I hope you had done with all the pre-requisites required by cluster.If you're installing SQL Server 2008 in a cluster on Windows 2003, you'll need to download and install the hotfix specified in the Microsoft article at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/937444  before you can install SQL Server 2008.

Note: Installation of above hotfix requires a reboot, so you have to cancel out of the installer at this point and restart the process after installing that hotfix on all your cluster nodes.

Step 2: Open SQL Server 2008 installation executable file from your CD\DVD\Shared location

Double click on installation.exe and you will find the below screen. Now select New SQL Server Failover Cluster installation option highlighted as in below image. (Note: For standalone installation we have to select standalone option)

Step1

Step 3: Once you have selected Step 2 option, installation will check for setup support rules to identify the problem. If it is failed due to any reason, you have to correct the issue. Please find the below screen shot. If it passed click on OK command button.

Step2

Step 4: Installation wizard will install the setup support files, click on Install command button

Step3

Step 5: This step will walk you through all the required information as below. Click on Next button

1. Product Key

2. Licence Terms

3. Feature Selection

4. Disk Space Reuirements

5. Error and Usage Reporting

6. Cluster instllation Rules

7. Ready to install

8. Installation Progress

Step4

Step 6: Enter Product Key or It will take automatically. See the below image for it.

Step5

Step 7: Select required features, which you want install.

Step6

Step 8: Specify the Network Name/Virtual Name for SQL Server to failover. As we are installing Active-Passive cluster we have to specify one virtual/network name. (Note: For Active-Active clustering you have specify different network names as per the number of nodes)

Step7

Step 9: SQL Server will review the disk space requirement for the features you have selected

Step8

Step 10: This step will create a new cluster resource group for your SQL server failover. Please see the note in the image.

Step9

Step 11: Select shared cluster disk resources for your SQL Server failover cluster

Step10

Step 12: Here you have to select network resources for your SQL Server failover cluster. You have to add IP address as well.

Step11

Step 13: Here you have to specify the service account for SQL Server services. It is a best practice always keeps SQL Services in cluster in manual mode

Step12

Step 14: Specify the authentication more and SA password in account provisioning tab, configure the location of the data files, log files, temp database in data directories tab and enable file stream as per the requirement

Step13

Step 15 

Step 14: Specify the authentication more and SA password in account provisioning tab, configure the location of the data files, log files, temp database in data directories tab and enable file stream as per the requirement

Step13

Step14

Step 15: Select check boxes as per your requirement, I haven't checked any option. Proceed with the next button

Step15

Step 16: Installation wizard will check the cluster installation rules, please correct if you found any failure and proceed with the next button

Step16

Step 17: Now your SQL Server cluster is ready to install. Click on Install button

Step17

Step 18: Apply the required Service Pack/Patch and reboot the server

Step 19: Once installation is done on this node, we have to proceed with the installation of SQL Server on the other cluster nodes. SQL Server 2005 was the last edition of SQL Server to automatically install SQL Server on all nodes at once.  Beginning with SQL Server 2008, we must manually install and patch each cluster node individually. This process allows for less downtime as we are patching the cluster or upgrading your cluster from SQL Server 2005 to SQL Server 2008.

Step 20 Installation on the other nodes is similar to installing on the first node except that we have select the Add Node to a SQL Server failover cluster option from the initial menu. The same software requirements apply to the other nodes in the cluster, so the installer will handle the verification and installation of these components as well.

Because most of the settings are picked up from the other node(s) in the cluster that already have SQL Server installed on them, the process of adding a node to the cluster is bit shorter than installing on the first node 

Step 20 Installation on the other nodes is similar to installing on the first node except that we have select the Add Node to a SQL Server failover cluster option from the initial menu. The same software requirements apply to the other nodes in the cluster, so the installer will handle the verification and installation of these components as well.


Because most of the settings are picked up from the other node(s) in the cluster that already have SQL Server installed on them, the process of adding a node to the cluster is bit shorter than installing on the first node

Step18
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44 comments:

  1. Abhinav AndhareOctober 7, 2009 at 4:57 AM

    Jugal,

    This is very informative article and this has helped me a lot in installing the cluster enviornment.

    Thanks for posting this article.

    Abhinav

    ReplyDelete
  2. PravinOctober 26, 2009 at 9:39 PM

    hi,

    I do not see any information related to active-active cluster installation on internet.
    Is active-active cluster really supported by microsoft?

    Please help.

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  3. JShahOctober 31, 2009 at 3:57 AM

    Hi Pravin,

    Micrsoft Supports Active-Active and Active-Passive clustering

    Regards,
    Jugal

    ReplyDelete
  4. JavedNovember 7, 2009 at 12:44 AM

    Dear friend

    I want how to configertion 2 both node Active Active pls any one of friend doccument


    windows 2008 server & mssql server installion both Active ,Active installion





    pls send it

    Regard
    Javed Rohile

    ReplyDelete
  5. JShahNovember 7, 2009 at 5:03 AM

    I have already added article for Active - Passive clustering. In active-active clustering you have to install sql server on both the instance. For SQL Server 2008 and windows server 2008 you can add 2 DTC service

    ReplyDelete
  6. A Cluster Of Fun « 36 Chambers – The Legendary Journeys: Execution to the max!December 9, 2009 at 5:58 PM

    [...] installation, I checked out the Microsoft documentation.  That was alright, but I also found a better post on setting up an active-passive cluster (which is what I [...]

    ReplyDelete
  7. Gad FrenkelDecember 25, 2009 at 8:02 AM

    I understand conceptually that you're basically insstalling two active-passive SQL clusters with Node1 failing over to Node 2 and Node 2 failing over to Node 1. What I don't get is the underlying failover cluster. Say Node 1 is the primary for the FO cluster. Installing SQL Cluster 1 is no problem since Node1 one owns the disks. How do I install SQL Cluster 2 on Node 2, since Node 2 sees all the cluster disks as offline being that Node 1 is the FO cluster primary node?

    ReplyDelete
  8. JShahDecember 30, 2009 at 4:43 AM

    Good Question. Do the failover for node2. Make sure Node2 has ownership of the required Disks and resources.

    ReplyDelete
  9. PhilApril 16, 2010 at 12:26 AM

    Didn't the title say active/ active aswell?? Was looking forward to reading that!

    ReplyDelete
  10. GregJune 4, 2010 at 10:35 AM

    In the beginning of this article, you mention that SQL Server 2008 supports nodes on different IP subnets. However, I have found a mountain of contradictory evidence to this. My understanding is that this was supposed to be included in SQL 2008 R2 but is not. Have you been able to get that working or is your statement in error?

    ReplyDelete
  11. JShahJune 29, 2010 at 5:05 AM

    I never tried but I think it is possible.

    ReplyDelete
  12. ReedbAugust 4, 2010 at 11:20 AM

    Has the failover clustering already been installed?

    ReplyDelete
  13. DeepakOctober 22, 2010 at 12:25 PM

    Did you try to install SQL2008 R2 on Node 2 using GUI?
    1.) I was not able to install it asked for SQL manager service account and it was disabled so could not eneter it and just have to quit installing but was able to install using CLI.

    2.) Will you please also clear how to make Active/Passive installation to Active/Active on Windows 2008 R2 and SQL2008 R2?

    3.) Hot Fixes on SQL2008 R2 what should be the procedure?

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  14. snivasOctober 23, 2010 at 5:18 AM

    Hi Shah

    Thanks for Publishing the such a good document,I have couple of question on the same.
    I have SQL Server 2000 SP4 on Windows 2003 SP2 Active/Passive Cluster

    1.can I follow same doc for Side by Side installation of SQL Server 2008R2
    2.From which node I have to start installation active node or Passive Node.
    3.Is it required to creation or modify in excisting (Quoram and MSDTC)your not mentined any thing about Quorum and MSDTC.or I can use excisting.

    can you have any document which about side by side,Please help us.
    4.

    ReplyDelete
  15. snivasOctober 26, 2010 at 5:28 AM

    Hello Jsha,

    Did any hot fix is required for SQL Server 2008 R2 ,If Iam doing Installation On Windows 2003 SP2.

    ReplyDelete
  16. JShahOctober 29, 2010 at 6:32 AM

    mostly not but plz check books online

    ReplyDelete
  17. ckweeNovember 10, 2010 at 10:14 PM

    coming from oracle rac background, the underneath file system must be able to support cluster e.g. veritas CFS, or use ASM or raw devices. This article didnt mention about the type of filesystem that mssql need to have. so i have my doubts. Has anyone tried this yet?

    ReplyDelete
  18. JShahNovember 18, 2010 at 5:10 AM

    Yes. Plz check MS Support site

    ReplyDelete
  19. 2010 in review « SQLDBPOOL.COMJanuary 1, 2011 at 11:17 PM

    [...] and Locks in SQL ServerDBA Roles and ResponsibilitiesNetwork Troubleshooting Dos CommandsSQL Server 2008 Active-Passive/Active-Active Cluster InstallationSQL Server 2005 Backup Error MessagesSQL Server 2005 Interview QuestionsUnable to start execution of [...]

    ReplyDelete
  20. Abhinav AndhareJanuary 5, 2011 at 3:14 AM

    Jugal, You make the DBA's life easy, configuring the clusters using your article is like rubbing butter on bread. Please write smoething on how to configure the windows cluster administrator which involves more on quorum disk and other disk layouts too.

    Thanks, Abhinav

    ReplyDelete
  21. SantoshJanuary 9, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    Hi Jugal , is there any document showing the process of creating active active clustering?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Jugal ShahJanuary 10, 2011 at 9:47 PM

    I don't have any ready made document right now. But Active-Active cluster installation you have to follow the mentioned steps on both the nodes. Once that is done, you have to add nodes using installation menu.

    ReplyDelete
  23. KhanMarch 3, 2011 at 6:28 AM

    Hi Shah,

    Thanks for good article, what about A/A ?

    thnx
    SQLdude

    ReplyDelete
  24. Jugal ShahMarch 10, 2011 at 8:25 PM

    Active/Active cluster you have install cluster SQL Server on both the nodes. Once the installation done, you have use "Add Node Option" from the installation on both the nodes.

    ReplyDelete
  25. dhavalMarch 15, 2011 at 4:43 AM

    Im new to MSSQL.

    Like RAC. Can i keep data directory in sharable mode on SAN where two physical server access same data directoy.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Jugal ShahMarch 17, 2011 at 11:26 PM

    In SQL Server only 1 file will be used by the instance at time.

    ReplyDelete
  27. IndrajeetApril 6, 2011 at 12:59 AM

    Hi Jugal,

    Could you please explain, How Quorum works in Active/Active Cluster?

    ReplyDelete
  28. venkatApril 6, 2011 at 5:25 AM

    my question is can we configure active/active SQL2008 cluster if yes, I need to configure as follow in 1st instance we have database and 2nd instance we need to configure reporting services so that we avoid wast of resourse

    ReplyDelete
  29. Dave BrownApril 21, 2011 at 3:18 AM

    Hi Jugal,

    An interesting article many thanks.

    I've an active/passive cluster with 3 sql instances that for operational issues needs to be configured as a active/active . Do you have an article that would help me with this ?

    ReplyDelete
  30. Jugal ShahApril 21, 2011 at 11:46 AM

    Dave, I don't have any handy document for this. Let me know your queries, I will post answers.

    ReplyDelete
  31. JahanzaibApril 29, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    Enterprise Edition support 16 nodes not OS Support,Data Center Edition support OS level support

    ReplyDelete
  32. rujinrajMay 28, 2011 at 12:27 AM

    can u give full details of active/active

    ReplyDelete
  33. Jugal ShahMay 31, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    What specific details you are looking for?

    ReplyDelete
  34. v2k2mJune 14, 2011 at 10:28 AM

    I just finished building 3 node cluster on Win 2k8 r2 AND sql 2k8 r2. I want to know how will one set it up so two of the the nodes are active at one point of time? Is there any way we can configure it? I have two services one for msdtc and another for SQL, running on all three nodes but only active on one node at a time. Your help will be highly appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
  35. shankarJune 22, 2011 at 2:05 AM

    hi jugal,

    could you please tel me prerequirements while configure cluster (winodws and sql server)
    help me this and cluster interview questions .

    ReplyDelete
  36. kvktandonJuly 5, 2011 at 1:48 AM

    Hi J-Shaw
    its really good to know the installation of sql clustering and please keep on posting the other configutrations and issues

    great job

    ReplyDelete
  37. RajaJuly 6, 2011 at 2:58 AM

    How to add a drive in active-passive environment if the drive is full?

    ReplyDelete
  38. RajaJuly 6, 2011 at 3:00 AM

    can you explain in detail?

    ReplyDelete
  39. Jugal ShahJuly 10, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    Do you want to add one more drive or you want to increase the storage? What kind of disk you are using in clustering???

    ReplyDelete
  40. Jugal ShahJuly 10, 2011 at 10:47 PM

    Hi Shankar, I haven't prepare any document for it, you can micorosoft site, they mentioned each and everything....

    ReplyDelete
  41. Srinivas ChAugust 31, 2011 at 2:46 AM

    nice article

    ReplyDelete
  42. Srinivas ChAugust 31, 2011 at 2:46 AM

    good

    ReplyDelete
  43. hodaiSeptember 6, 2011 at 8:39 AM

    hi
    have a nice day
    can you explain in detail of sql server 2008 cluter
    can you give blog the most sgl server 2008 cluter

    ReplyDelete
  44. hodaiSeptember 7, 2011 at 3:07 AM

    hi have nice a day
    are you give document of sql server 2008 cluter?
    are you sent gmail me ?

    ReplyDelete

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