11.
MS-SQL server failover cluster setup step by step.
Setting up a Microsoft SQL Server Failover Cluster
involves several steps. Below is a high-level step-by-step guide for
configuring a SQL Server Failover Cluster on Windows Server. Keep in mind that
this is a simplified guide, and you should refer to the official documentation
for your specific versions of SQL Server and Windows Server for more detailed
and up-to-date instructions.
Prerequisites:
At least two servers running Windows Server with
Failover Clustering feature installed.
Shared storage accessible by all cluster nodes.
SQL Server installation media or installation
files.
Step
1: Prepare the Environment
Install
Windows Failover Clustering:
Install the Failover Clustering feature on each
server.
Configure network settings and ensure all nodes can
communicate with each other.
Configure Shared Storage:
Set up shared storage that all cluster nodes can
access. This is typically done using a SAN (Storage Area Network) or other
shared storage solution.
Step
2: Install SQL Server Failover Cluster Instance
Install
SQL Server:
Run the SQL Server setup on the first node.
Choose "New SQL Server failover cluster
installation."
Follow the installation wizard, specifying instance
name, SQL Server features, and configuration options.
Configure
SQL Server Failover Cluster:
During installation, configure the SQL Server
Failover Cluster instance.
Specify the SQL Server Network Name and IP Address.
Configure SQL Server instance settings such as
authentication mode and SQL Server administrators.
Complete SQL Server Installation:
Complete the SQL Server installation on the first
node.
Step
3: Add Additional Nodes to the Cluster
Install
SQL Server:
Run the SQL Server setup on the additional nodes.
Choose "Add node to a SQL Server failover
cluster."
Join
the Cluster:
Specify the SQL Server instance to add the node to.
Follow the installation wizard to join the node to
the existing SQL Server failover cluster.
Complete Installation:
Complete the SQL Server installation on the
additional nodes.
Step
4: Validate the Failover Cluster
Run
Cluster Validation:
Open the Failover Cluster Manager on one of the
nodes.
Run the "Validate a Configuration" wizard
to ensure the cluster is configured correctly.
Resolve any Issues:
Address any issues reported by the cluster
validation tool.
Step
5: Test Failover
Failover Testing:
Use the Failover Cluster Manager to test failover
by moving the SQL Server resources to another node.
Verify Functionality:
After a failover, verify that the SQL Server
instance is accessible and operational.
Keep
in mind that this is a basic guide, and you should refer to the official
documentation for your specific versions of SQL Server and Windows Server for
more detailed and up-to-date instructions. Additionally, it's crucial to
thoroughly test your failover configuration in a controlled environment before
deploying it in a production setting.
