Register a Named Instance That's Part of a SQL Server 2008 Cluster

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Register a Named Instance That's Part of a SQL Server 2008 Cluster

spenn6367

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January 20, 2012 at 12:47 pm

#249530

I built three SQL Server clusters in similar fashion, but the following problem exists on the last cluster build.
Unable to register the named instance (which lives on Node B) on Node A using [VirtualServerNameamed instance]. The named instance will register on Node A using [VirtualServerName, port].
Here’s the cluster makeup:
Active-Active SQL Server 2008 R2 Cluster
Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise
VirtualServerName1 = Default InstanceVirtualServerName2 = Named Instance
Active on Node A Active on Node B
Server Registrations Server Registrations
VirtualServerName1 VirtualServerName2\NamedInstance
VirtualServerName2, port VirtualServerName1
I would like to register the named instance on Node A without using the port.
Thoughts?

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JeremyE SSCoach Points: 16200 More actions · Answer 1

Is the SQL Server Browser service started?

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms181087.aspx

arr.nagaraj SSCertifiable Points: 6528 More actions · Answer 2

couldnt understand your question exactly.

On Node A you have Default instance ( VirtualServername1) and Node B you have named instnace (VirtualServername2\instancename). You want to connect to Node B from Node A without using port number?

You should be able to do it when you specify VirtualServername2\instancename or Virtual IP that you would have created. Your SQL Virtual IPs for both installations should have been different.

Regards,
Raj

http://Strictlysql.blogspot.com

spenn6367 SSC-Addicted Points: 446 More actions · Answer 3

spenn6367

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Points: 446

January 26, 2012 at 12:47 pm

#1439002

The Browser service is started on both nodes.

spenn6367 SSC-Addicted Points: 446 More actions · Answer 4

arr.nagaraj (1/26/2012)
couldnt understand your question exactly.
On Node A you have Default instance ( VirtualServername1) and Node B you have named instnace (VirtualServername2\instancename). You want to connect to Node B from Node A without using port number?
You should be able to do it when you specify VirtualServername2\instancename or Virtual IP that you would have created. Your SQL Virtual IPs for both installations should have been different.

This issue is I'm unable to connect to the named instance "VirtualServername2\instancename" from Node A.

Please advise.

Elliott Whitlow SSC Guru Points: 102402 More actions · Answer 5

spenn6367 (1/26/2012)
arr.nagaraj (1/26/2012)
couldnt understand your question exactly.
On Node A you have Default instance ( VirtualServername1) and Node B you have named instnace (VirtualServername2\instancename). You want to connect to Node B from Node A without using port number?
You should be able to do it when you specify VirtualServername2\instancename or Virtual IP that you would have created. Your SQL Virtual IPs for both installations should have been different.
This issue is I'm unable to connect to the named instance "VirtualServername2\instancename" from Node A.
Please advise.

The SQL browser service needs to be running on ALL nodes. Also you cannot reference the named instance simply by the IP address, you MUST reference it by IP and Port.

CEWII

arr.nagaraj SSCertifiable Points: 6528 More actions · Answer 6

Elliott Whitlow (1/26/2012)
spenn6367 (1/26/2012)
arr.nagaraj (1/26/2012)
couldnt understand your question exactly.
On Node A you have Default instance ( VirtualServername1) and Node B you have named instnace (VirtualServername2\instancename). You want to connect to Node B from Node A without using port number?
You should be able to do it when you specify VirtualServername2\instancename or Virtual IP that you would have created. Your SQL Virtual IPs for both installations should have been different.
This issue is I'm unable to connect to the named instance "VirtualServername2\instancename" from Node A.
Please advise.
The SQL browser service needs to be running on ALL nodes. Also you cannot reference the named instance simply by the IP address, you MUST reference it by IP and Port.
CEWII

If there is no default instance running currently on the Node and if the IPs are different ( as in the case above ) you can connect using the IP alone to a named instance

Regards,
Raj

http://Strictlysql.blogspot.com

Elliott Whitlow SSC Guru Points: 102402 More actions · Answer 7

arr.nagaraj (1/26/2012)

If there is no default instance running currently on the Node and if the IPs are different ( as in the case above ) you can connect using the IP alone to a named instance

I have to disagree, I have never seen this happen in practice or when I just tried it. I have a cluster with all named instances, one per node, attempts to reference ONLY the IP address failed to connect, as expected. The tools don't know WHERE the SQL server is, they might be able to assume the IP but the port cant be guessed, and without the instance name I don't believe that the SQL Browser can resolve it either.

Also keep in mind the only thing that really defines a default instance is that it listens on port 1433. Other than that its pretty much the same.

CEWII