Rename named instance on an Active-Active Cluster

  • I would like to change the name of the "named" instance of an active-active cluster. I know we can rename instances with sp_dropserver/sp_addserver, but I am more cautious because the cluster is involved.

    Is my object easily attainable with the following steps:

    1. Rename the instance with sp_dropserver/sp_addserver on both nodes

    2. Go into Failover Cluster Manager and change all entries from old named instance to the new named instance

    3. Test failing the cluster from node a to node b

    Is the aforementioned fraught in gotchas?

    P.S. The SQL Server instances are 2008.

  • You can't change the name of a named instance without reinstalling. The addserver/dropserver are for when the name of the computer has changed.

    So, if I have a SQL instance Server1\SQL2008 and I rename the computer from Server1 to ProdSQL01 then SQL picks up the change automatically (connections are to ProdSQL01\SQL2008 on the next boot) and addserver/dropserver are just used to fix the value in sys.servers for things like replication.

    To change that from ProdSQL01\SQL2008 to ProdSQL01\Accounting requires uninstalling the SQL2008 instance and reinstalling SQL.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

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