asked
Multi-instance Clustering
Does anyone have an article, link, blog, or thoughts on setting up SQL Server 2008 R2 clustering with multiple instances? Preferably active-active. No need to point to the normal 2-node cluster with a single instance examples. Initally we are looking at a 2 or 3 node cluster with 6-7 instances. We are not able to go to SQL Server 2012 so please refrain from breaking my heart with any notes on that.
Most of your considerations will be the same as with a single instance failover cluster. A few considerations that come right to mind for a multi-instance failover cluster: DTC - [
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/cindygross/archive/2009/02/22/how-to-configure-dtc-for-sql-server-in-a-windows-2008-cluster.aspx][1] Memory configuration - if all instances fail to the same node, will their minimum memory fit within what's available on the node (with room for the OS) Patching - [
http://www.quest.com/documents/landing.aspx?id=14014][2] and/or [
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/958734][3] As always, the cluster validaton tool is your friend. [1]:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/cindygross/archive/2009/02/22/how-to-configure-dtc-for-sql-server-in-a-windows-2008-cluster.aspx [2]:
http://www.quest.com/documents/landing.aspx?id=14014 [3]:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/958734
Anything on setting up the multiple resources or handling the multiple LUNs?
I don't recall anything special about adding multiple resources or LUNs and don't see anything special in my notes from my last cluster install - just keep the dependencies straight. You might grab a copy of Allan Hirt's Pro SQL Server 2008 Clustering book:
http://www.amazon.com/Server-Failover-Clustering-Experts-Voice/dp/1430219661 It covers much you should be familiar with for both single- and multiple-instance clusters as well as walking through the setup of the initial instance and the setup of an additional instance.
14 People are following this question.
