Tips
Adding Storage to SQL Server 2008 Cluster
I'm running out of disk space on my SQL Server 2008 cluster and need to add a new storage device. In this tip we walk through how this can be done.
Automate Bringing SQL Server Cluster Resources Online After Failover is Unsuccessful
Have you noticed that when a failover is initiated on a SQL Server cluster it does not always do so successfully? Often nothing is wrong, it's just taking too long to confirm a resource or Windows id. The cause may vary but the solution is the same. You log onto the cluster server and bring the cluster resource group online. In this tip we show how can you automate this process.
Balancing Resources for SQL Server Clustering and Consolidation
In my SQL Server environment we initially clustered to support a consolidation effort in which we were focusing on elimination of approximately thirteen Microsoft SQL Server 2000 and 2005 instances. Just because you have disk space, plenty of memory, and abundant CPU does not mean you can pile databases onto an instance of Microsoft SQL Server; you need to pay attention to load balancing. In the case of a clustered environment I take it one-step-removed: a step I like to call node balancing.
Benefits of Using Mount Points with SQL Server Clusters
The traditional configuration of a letter assigned for each volume on a Windows Server imposes limitations on our SQL Server cluster design. The primary constraint is the twenty-six letters in the alphabet limiting us to that number of drives that our server can use. In this tip we look at how to use mountpoints when setting up SQL Server to eliminate this drive letter limitation.
Cluster Administrator Application for SQL Server DBAs
I've installed a SQL Server 2005 cluster and now I have to administer the darn thing. I am comfortable within SQL Server and the management tools that wrap around it, but I've been told by the Server Team in our organization that I need to be able to use Cluster Administer to deal with failovers and some general monitoring issues such as being able to determine which server in the cluster "owns" the specific SQL instances.
Configuring Volume Mountpoints on a SQL Server 2008 Failover Cluster running on Windows Server 2008
You need to provision additional disk subsystem on your SQL Server 2008 Failover Cluster running on Windows Server 2008. However, you are limited by the number of drive letters available to assign to the new disks. How do you do it? Check out this tip to learn more.
Fix SQL Server Agent on Windows Failover Cluster
I was trying to install SQL Server 2008 R2 on a Windows Server 2008 R2 Failover Cluster, but the setup did not complete successfully. Upon further investigation, the issue seems to be caused by a DNS entry that was then fixed by the systems administrator. While the SQL Server cluster resource group was successfully brought online after the DNS issue was fixed, I noticed that the SQL Server Agent was not listed as a resource type under the Other Resources section of the cluster resource group. In this tip we look at how to manually add the SQL Server Agent to the cluster resource group.
Getting started with SQL Server clustering
We have a suite of databases that support a medical care system. These products have progressed in importance over the years to a point where our health care professionals rely on them for critical patient care. These databases must be available 24x7 with minimal downtime for maintenance or patching and low risk of downtime related to any hardware failures. Some of these databases are quite large and restoring from a backup set would take longer than is allowable to the user base. Our Server Engineering Team has created a Windows 2003 cluster for me to use as a solution, but I am not familiar with the technology. Can you provide me with the basics of what clustering is and how it is going to help me?
Identifying Windows Volumes on a Clustered SQL Server Instance with the DMVs
I have inherited a Microsoft SQL clustered server and I don't know much about it's logical structure. It is a two node, active-active cluster and I am trying to determine which of the logical volumes on the shared disk are associated with each SQL Server instance. Is there a simple method in T-SQL to determine this without having to fire up Cluster Administrator?
Install SQL Server 2008 on a Windows Server 2008 Cluster Part 1
In a previous tip on SQL Server 2008 Installation Process, we have seen how different SQL Server 2008 installation is from its previous versions. Now, we have another challenge to face: installing SQL Server 2008 on a Windows Server 2008 Cluster. Windows Server 2008 has a lot of differences from its previous versions and one of them is the clustering feature. How do I go about building a clustered SQL Server 2008 running on Windows Server 2008?
Install SQL Server 2008 on a Windows Server 2008 Cluster Part 2
In a previous tip on SQL Server 2008 Installation Process, we have seen how different SQL Server 2008 installation is from its previous versions. Now, we have another challenge to face: installing SQL Server 2008 on a Windows Server 2008 Cluster. Windows Server 2008 has a lot of differences from its previous versions and one of them is the clustering feature. How do I go about building a clustered SQL Server 2008 running on Windows Server 2008?
Install SQL Server 2008 on a Windows Server 2008 Cluster Part 3
In a previous tip on SQL Server 2008 Installation Process, we have seen how different SQL Server 2008 installation is from its previous versions. Now, we have another challenge to face: installing SQL Server 2008 on a Windows Server 2008 Cluster. Windows Server 2008 has a lot of differences from its previous versions and one of them is the clustering feature. How do I go about building a clustered SQL Server 2008 running on Windows Server 2008?
Install SQL Server 2008 on a Windows Server 2008 Cluster Part 4
In a previous tip on SQL Server 2008 Installation Process, we have seen how different SQL Server 2008 installation is from its previous versions. Now, we have another challenge to face: installing SQL Server 2008 on a Windows Server 2008 Cluster. Windows Server 2008 has a lot of differences from its previous versions and one of them is the clustering feature. How do I go about building a clustered SQL Server 2008 running on Windows Server 2008?
Managing a Windows and SQL Server Cluster using the Failover Cluster Manager tool
From a DBA standpoint, I’ve installed my first Windows and SQL Server cluster on the 2008 platform. Now that it has been setup, let's walk through some of the management options.
Manually Configure SQL Server Resource Group Ownership in Cluster Administrator
We have a two node SQL Server cluster in our organization. We are running an instance of Microsoft SQL Server on each node in the cluster. I am coming up to speed on the Cluster Administrator tool and I am looking for a process by which I can check the configuration settings that were put in place with the SQL Server installation, specifically the failover options for each SQL instance and ownership of the instances.
Outline, Checklists, Document Sheets for Installing Clustered SQL Servers
Sample Completed Info Sheets for a SQL Server Cluster
SQL Server Cluster Configuration Checklist
SQL Server Cluster Node Configuration Checklist
SQL Server Clustering Active vs Passive
In this tip about cluserting for SQL Server we discuss the difference between an Active-Active versus and Active-Passive cluster.
SQL Server Configuration Checklist
SQL Server Disk Configuration Checklist
SQL Server Failover Clustering and Virtualization Update from MS CSS
Virtualisation and Failover Clustering wasn't one of the options you had for SQL Server previously, but Bob Ward has just updated a KB with details on the change of stance and why its now supported :)
SQL Server Post Cluster Configuration Checklist (Part 2 of 4)
SQL Server Post SQL Installation Checklist (Part 4 of 4)
SQL Server Pre Cluster Installation Checklist (Part 1 of 4)
SQL Server Pre SQL Installation Checklist (Part 3 of 4)
Understanding why there is still downtime for SQL Server with Microsoft Clustering
I want to institute a high availability solution for SQL Server with no downtime. I am planning on using Microsoft clustering, but I have been told that in the event that the cluster moves the SQL Server from one physical server to another, that there is some downtime. Why is this so?
Updating the Passive Node in a SQL Server 2005 Cluster
Somewhere during the installation of a 3 node Active/Active/Passive clustered environment, the Service Pack and Hot Fix did not get properly updated for just one server of the third node in the cluster. This was discovered after the instance failed over to this node and some applications were not running properly. A check from Management Studio showed the instance on version 9.00.1399 of SQL Server 2005. We are currently on Hot Fix 3282, which requires SP 2a. After research with Microsoft Premier Support, it was undetermined how this happened.
Top 10
Adding Storage to SQL Server 2008 Cluster
I'm running out of disk space on my SQL Server 2008 cluster and need to add a new storage device. In this tip we walk through how this can be done.
Install SQL Server 2008 on a Windows Server 2008 Cluster Part 1
In a previous tip on SQL Server 2008 Installation Process, we have seen how different SQL Server 2008 installation is from its previous versions. Now, we have another challenge to face: installing SQL Server 2008 on a Windows Server 2008 Cluster. Windows Server 2008 has a lot of differences from its previous versions and one of them is the clustering feature. How do I go about building a clustered SQL Server 2008 running on Windows Server 2008?
Managing a Windows and SQL Server Cluster using the Failover Cluster Manager tool
From a DBA standpoint, I’ve installed my first Windows and SQL Server cluster on the 2008 platform. Now that it has been setup, let's walk through some of the management options.
Install SQL Server 2008 on a Windows Server 2008 Cluster Part 3
In a previous tip on SQL Server 2008 Installation Process, we have seen how different SQL Server 2008 installation is from its previous versions. Now, we have another challenge to face: installing SQL Server 2008 on a Windows Server 2008 Cluster. Windows Server 2008 has a lot of differences from its previous versions and one of them is the clustering feature. How do I go about building a clustered SQL Server 2008 running on Windows Server 2008?
Install SQL Server 2008 on a Windows Server 2008 Cluster Part 2
In a previous tip on SQL Server 2008 Installation Process, we have seen how different SQL Server 2008 installation is from its previous versions. Now, we have another challenge to face: installing SQL Server 2008 on a Windows Server 2008 Cluster. Windows Server 2008 has a lot of differences from its previous versions and one of them is the clustering feature. How do I go about building a clustered SQL Server 2008 running on Windows Server 2008?
Install SQL Server 2008 on a Windows Server 2008 Cluster Part 4
In a previous tip on SQL Server 2008 Installation Process, we have seen how different SQL Server 2008 installation is from its previous versions. Now, we have another challenge to face: installing SQL Server 2008 on a Windows Server 2008 Cluster. Windows Server 2008 has a lot of differences from its previous versions and one of them is the clustering feature. How do I go about building a clustered SQL Server 2008 running on Windows Server 2008?
Benefits of Using Mount Points with SQL Server Clusters
The traditional configuration of a letter assigned for each volume on a Windows Server imposes limitations on our SQL Server cluster design. The primary constraint is the twenty-six letters in the alphabet limiting us to that number of drives that our server can use. In this tip we look at how to use mountpoints when setting up SQL Server to eliminate this drive letter limitation.
SQL Server Clustering Active vs Passive
In this tip about cluserting for SQL Server we discuss the difference between an Active-Active versus and Active-Passive cluster.
Configuring Volume Mountpoints on a SQL Server 2008 Failover Cluster running on Windows Server 2008
You need to provision additional disk subsystem on your SQL Server 2008 Failover Cluster running on Windows Server 2008. However, you are limited by the number of drive letters available to assign to the new disks. How do you do it? Check out this tip to learn more.
Getting started with SQL Server clustering
We have a suite of databases that support a medical care system. These products have progressed in importance over the years to a point where our health care professionals rely on them for critical patient care. These databases must be available 24x7 with minimal downtime for maintenance or patching and low risk of downtime related to any hardware failures. Some of these databases are quite large and restoring from a backup set would take longer than is allowable to the user base. Our Server Engineering Team has created a Windows 2003 cluster for me to use as a solution, but I am not familiar with the technology. Can you provide me with the basics of what clustering is and how it is going to help me?
Last 10
Adding Storage to SQL Server 2008 Cluster
I'm running out of disk space on my SQL Server 2008 cluster and need to add a new storage device. In this tip we walk through how this can be done.
Managing a Windows and SQL Server Cluster using the Failover Cluster Manager tool
From a DBA standpoint, I’ve installed my first Windows and SQL Server cluster on the 2008 platform. Now that it has been setup, let's walk through some of the management options.
Benefits of Using Mount Points with SQL Server Clusters
The traditional configuration of a letter assigned for each volume on a Windows Server imposes limitations on our SQL Server cluster design. The primary constraint is the twenty-six letters in the alphabet limiting us to that number of drives that our server can use. In this tip we look at how to use mountpoints when setting up SQL Server to eliminate this drive letter limitation.
Configuring Volume Mountpoints on a SQL Server 2008 Failover Cluster running on Windows Server 2008
You need to provision additional disk subsystem on your SQL Server 2008 Failover Cluster running on Windows Server 2008. However, you are limited by the number of drive letters available to assign to the new disks. How do you do it? Check out this tip to learn more.
Fix SQL Server Agent on Windows Failover Cluster
I was trying to install SQL Server 2008 R2 on a Windows Server 2008 R2 Failover Cluster, but the setup did not complete successfully. Upon further investigation, the issue seems to be caused by a DNS entry that was then fixed by the systems administrator. While the SQL Server cluster resource group was successfully brought online after the DNS issue was fixed, I noticed that the SQL Server Agent was not listed as a resource type under the Other Resources section of the cluster resource group. In this tip we look at how to manually add the SQL Server Agent to the cluster resource group.
Automate Bringing SQL Server Cluster Resources Online After Failover is Unsuccessful
Have you noticed that when a failover is initiated on a SQL Server cluster it does not always do so successfully? Often nothing is wrong, it's just taking too long to confirm a resource or Windows id. The cause may vary but the solution is the same. You log onto the cluster server and bring the cluster resource group online. In this tip we show how can you automate this process.
Understanding why there is still downtime for SQL Server with Microsoft Clustering
I want to institute a high availability solution for SQL Server with no downtime. I am planning on using Microsoft clustering, but I have been told that in the event that the cluster moves the SQL Server from one physical server to another, that there is some downtime. Why is this so?
SQL Server Failover Clustering and Virtualization Update from MS CSS
Virtualisation and Failover Clustering wasn't one of the options you had for SQL Server previously, but Bob Ward has just updated a KB with details on the change of stance and why its now supported :)
Install SQL Server 2008 on a Windows Server 2008 Cluster Part 4
In a previous tip on SQL Server 2008 Installation Process, we have seen how different SQL Server 2008 installation is from its previous versions. Now, we have another challenge to face: installing SQL Server 2008 on a Windows Server 2008 Cluster. Windows Server 2008 has a lot of differences from its previous versions and one of them is the clustering feature. How do I go about building a clustered SQL Server 2008 running on Windows Server 2008?
Install SQL Server 2008 on a Windows Server 2008 Cluster Part 3
In a previous tip on SQL Server 2008 Installation Process, we have seen how different SQL Server 2008 installation is from its previous versions. Now, we have another challenge to face: installing SQL Server 2008 on a Windows Server 2008 Cluster. Windows Server 2008 has a lot of differences from its previous versions and one of them is the clustering feature. How do I go about building a clustered SQL Server 2008 running on Windows Server 2008?
