Cluster with non-shared storage?

[bentley45]

I have zero SQL knowledge, but have been assigned the task of investigating clustering a SQL 2000 database setup.
Currently we have 2 sql 2000 servers. I believe the sql DBA is doing SQL replication. However, we plan to set it up where one server is the primary and the other is in standby mode and the failover is automatic. That is the plan.
The gotcha here is that they each have their own copy of the database. There is no shared storage and we want to keep it that way.
Any suggestions as to how we could set this up, even if we have to use a 3rd party app? The OS is currently W2k3 standard, but we can upgrade to W2k3 Enterprise.
Thanks!

 

[mrdenny]

Without shared storage you'll need something like Neverfail. They usually have an add in SQL Server Magazine.

SQL 2000 doesn't have anything that will provide you with automatic failover except for clustering.

SQL 2005 gives you database mirroring but it will require some changes to the client machines to get it working.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000) / MCTS (SQL 2005) / MCITP Database Administrator (SQL 2005)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com

 

[bentley45]

So I would cluster the servers with Microsoft Cluster, then install Neverfail on top as the 'failover/replication solution'?

OR, would Neverfail take the place of MSCS ?

Thanks for your response!