Moving virtual server and instance names to a new server

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randall_dh - 28 Mar 2006 00:18 GMT

We currently have a (2) node active/active cluster with each node ideally
hosting (2) virtual servers and their instances. We want to split the
cluster into (2) active/passive clusters and move what normally resides on a
given node to it's own cluster. Here is the catch. We have cross
server/instances queries/procedures and Access database/queries with the
Virtual Server and instance name hard coded, and creating new names isn't
really an viable option.

Here is the current setup:

Current Cluster:
NODE01
VSQL1\sqlsrv01
VSQL1\sqlsrv02

NODE02
VSQL1\sqlsrv03
VSQL1\sqlsrv04

And here is the proposed setup::

New Cluster 1:
NODE01 - active
VSQL1\sqlsrv01
VSQL1\sqlsrv02

NODE02 - inactive
------------------------------------------------
New Cluster 2:
NODE01 - active
VSQL1\sqlsrv03
VSQL1\sqlsrv04

NODE02 - inactive

Can we create the servers in a different domain, moving them to our
production domain when testing has been completed? And if so, how do we
handle the fact that the VSQLx and named instances already exists in Active
Directory? Can the old server just be turned off, the new one brought up and
added to the domain by resetting the current domain accounts and re-joining?
Of course. Does anyone have a good solution, I'm all ears. Thanks

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Linchi Shea - 28 Mar 2006 03:39 GMT

> Here is the current setup:
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> VSQL1\sqlsrv03
> VSQL1\sqlsrv04

That can't be your current setup. Your current setup is probably more like:

NODE01
VSQL01\sqlsrv01
VSQL02\sqlsrv02

NODE02
VSQL03\sqlsrv03
VSQL04\sqlsrv04

I'd probably just do a switchover with the current cluster. First, get the
necessary database files to a staging server. Then, remove the cluster from
the network. But keep it as your rollback plan. Create two new clusters and
install SQL instances as follows:

New Cluster 1:
NODE01 - active
VSQL01\sqlsrv01
VSQL02\sqlsrv02

NODE02 - inactive
------------------------------------------------
New Cluster 2:
NODE01 - active
VSQL03\sqlsrv03
VSQL04\sqlsrv04

And finally get the database files from the staging server to their
respective new servers.

Linchi

> We currently have a (2) node active/active cluster with each node ideally
> hosting (2) virtual servers and their instances. We want to split the
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
> added to the domain by resetting the current domain accounts and re-joining?
> Of course. Does anyone have a good solution, I'm all ears. Thanks

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randall_dh - 28 Mar 2006 05:41 GMT

Yes, you are correct regarding the Virtual Server naming (careless cutting
and pasting on my part). Ideally, we would like to test the new cluster for
several days prior to bringing it live. My main concern is that the reusing
of the names doesn't cause a problem. Am I correct in my assumtions that AD
isn't involved in the virtual server or instance naming and that the only
network ties are through the DNS entries?

ALso, would you expect that any issues with restoring the master and msdb to
the new cluster instances (any references to the old nodes etc...)?

Thank you.

> > Here is the current setup:
> >
[quoted text clipped - 80 lines]
> > added to the domain by resetting the current domain accounts and re-joining?
> > Of course. Does anyone have a good solution, I'm all ears. Thanks

Reply to this Message