Steps to Cluster a SQL Server 2000 installation

[djhawthorn]

I've been tasked with clustering 2 SQL Servers (SQL Server 2000) together, running Windows Advanced Server 2003. These are brand new installations of Windows/SQL, on new identicle hardware. There is the potential for this to become a 3-node and then a 4-node cluster in the near future.

I also have to setup a 2nd, 1-node cluster (which will expand to become 2-nodes down the track) so we want to setup and configure clustering on that one too.

As I've not clustered Windows/SQL before, what are the steps involved in setting it up? I'm guessing we want an active/active cluster. Both machines will be writing to the database which is being stored on a SAN.

Can someone outline the basic steps to take such as install the OS, cluster the machines, connect to the SAN, then install SQL, then service pack it (for example).

Also, are there any pitfalls or anything I should be aware of whilst doing this?

Thanks.

MCSE NT4/W2K

 

[mutley1]

Here's a nice little article to get you going. Just remember not to remove the Built in\Administrator as I found out all that time ago on my first build when I didn't read everything!

[URL unfurl="true"]http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sql/2000/maintain/failclus.mspx [/url]

Cheers,

M.

 

[mrdenny]

You can easily remove the BUILTIN\Administrator so long as you grant the account which is running the Cluster Service sysadmin rights to the SQL Server.

We do this on all of our clusters.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000) / MCTS (SQL 2005)

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

http://www.mrdenny.com

 

[mutley1]

Thanks Denny,

I didn't know that. We had to build one with a day's notice so had to do the RTFM route and didn't do any after that, but will bear in mind for future builds!

BR,

M.