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SQL Server Pre Cluster Installation Checklist (Part 1 of 4)
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By: Chad Boyd | Read Comments | Print Chad is an Architect, Administrator and Developer with technologies such as SQL Server, .NET, and Windows Server. Related Tips: More |
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This is the first checklist in the process – run through it as soon as you are ready to form the cluster, or prior to installing SQL Server in a standalone-configuration.
Server Cluster Pre-Installation Checklist
| Check | Pass | Fail |
| Verify cluster hardware configuration on Windows Catalog/HCL | ||
| Complete each of the following documents for the cluster and nodes in the cluster:- Cluster Config.doc- Cluster Node Config.doc- Disk Configuration.doc- SQL Cluster Config.doc | ||
| All to-be cluster nodes are attached to the same domain | ||
| Domain contains at least 2 Domain Controllers | ||
| Domain contains at least 2 DNS servers that support dynamic updates and configured as Global Catalog Servers | ||
| Domain Controllers are configured with at least 2 DNS servers – If DC’s are also DNS, each should point to itself for primary, and the other for secondary resolution | ||
| Minimum of two networks on different subnets configured | ||
| Private LAN isolated from all network infrastructure other than cluster nodes (including DC’s, WINS servers, DHCP servrs, etc.) | ||
| Verify ALL to-be cluster networks configured on separate subnets, distinct from all other to-be cluster networks | ||
| Public Network(s) configured to have binding priority over Private Network(s) on all nodes | ||
| Only TCP/IP configured on the private network(s); all other options unchecked | ||
| NetBIOS disabled on Private Network(s) (if not a MNS cluster) | ||
| Private network(s) do NOT contain DNS, WINS, or Gateway definitions | ||
| Private network(s) NOT configured to register with DNS | ||
| Network cards (public and private) set to a static speed and duplex on all nodes and NICs | ||
| All NICs configured with same communication settings (speed, duplex, flow control, media type) | ||
| Verify Public networks configured for Maximum Throughput of Network Applications | ||
| All public NICs configured with at least 2 DNS servers | ||
| WINDOWS 2000 ONLY – DHCP Media Sense Disabled | ||
| Disable network task offloads if possible | ||
| Verify 8.3 naming structure enabled | ||
| Verify all server node names are all UPPERCASE | ||
| No errors from hardware specific monitoring tools provided by the vendor on all nodes | ||
| Ping the local loopback address 127.0.0.1 on each node | ||
| Ping the individual IP address of each network adapter on all nodes from each other node | ||
| Ping the individual IP address of each network adapter on each node from a machine not in the cluster | ||
| Ping the name of each individual node from each node of the cluster | ||
| Ping the name of each individual node from a machine not in the cluster | ||
| Verify that all required services are running and configured for boot on all nodes | ||
| Verify cluster disks can be seen by all nodes (power each server on one at a time) | ||
| Verify the cluster disks are Basic disks, MBR, and formatted with NTFS. | ||
| Verify all disks are properly aligned and have correct offset | ||
| Ensure all the latest OS updates, security patches, and related hotfixes have been installed | ||
| Ensure local admin account has non-blank password | ||
| Verify staggered boot delay for all cluster nodes | ||
| Verify processor scheduling for background services, memory usage for programs, visual effects off | ||
| Verify appropriate page file configuration | ||
| Verify unnecessary services disabled | ||
| MSDTC service configured for network access (if MSDTC install) | ||
| Run syscomparre.exe to verify node matches (if available) | ||
| Ran ClusDiag.exe to verify node configurations | ||
| Before continuing, power down all nodes but the first node to be installed on | ||
| Turn off screen saver | ||
| Update allowed size of all event logs (Application, Security, and System) |
Last Update: 6/29/2008
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