March 11, 2014 at 12:29 pm
I have a two-node SQL Server 2012 cluster with ~10 instances of SQL Server 2012 running on it, and another two physical machines are due to become available. The new physical machines are identical to each other, but not to the two existing cluster nodes.
1. Is it better to build a separate SQL Server 2012 cluster with the two new nodes? My understanding at this time is the answer to this question is Yes, because all physical nodes in a cluster should be identical, as much as possible.
2. If the answer to question number one is Yes, is there any way to move an existing instance to the new cluster without uninstalling the instance on the original cluster and reinstalling it on the new cluster?
Any suggestions on the proper way to proceed would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Rick
March 11, 2014 at 1:14 pm
1. It's better to that. That way you can offload your SQL instances and administration becomes less complex.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh231721.aspx
2. Do a new install on the new server and move the DBs. Only issue might be the redirection of traffic. You can use client alias to do the mapping.
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SQLBuddy
March 12, 2014 at 4:12 am
sellers.rick (3/11/2014)
1. Is it better to build a separate SQL Server 2012 cluster with the two new nodes? My understanding at this time is the answer to this question is Yes, because all physical nodes in a cluster should be identical, as much as possible.
Creating a separate windows cluster increases the managent of the nodes as you now have more clusters to manage. Creating one large cluster will only use 1 cluster client access point i.e. 1 VIP and 1 VNN.
It's more important that the nodes use the same OS edition and software updates.
Now, software updates can vary by machine architecture so you can only get away with a certain amount of difference, but generally best to at least have the same machine model and CPU architecture not necessarily the same family though.
Can you supply specs for current cluster nodes and new nodes?
sellers.rick (3/11/2014)
2. If the answer to question number one is Yes, is there any way to move an existing instance to the new cluster without uninstalling the instance on the original cluster and reinstalling it on the new cluster?Any suggestions on the proper way to proceed would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Rick
If you create a new cluster and want to use the same network name for a new instance you'll need to remove the current one from the existing cluster first as the virtual computername will already be in use.
Post the specs as requested first and lets have a look at the differences
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"Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉
March 12, 2014 at 6:19 am
Thanks for the answers to my questions, guys. I provided what I know of the specifications below.
The current cluster is a pair of Dell servers (not sure of the model number) with Intel Xeon CPU E7-4830 @ 2.13 Ghz (32 cores), 128 GB RAM mirrored (256 GB total, 128 GB usable). These are configured in a SQL Server 2012 cluster. I have a third machine that is identical to these two that is not part of the cluster (it is idle at this time because it has no connection to the SAN).
The other pair are also Dell servers (not sure of the model number) with Intel Xeon CPU E5-2660 0 @ 2.20 Ghz (32 cores) and 32 GB RAM (not mirrored). They are currently configured as a SQL Server 2008R2 cluster running one instance with one database. That database will be moved to a SQL Server 2012 cluster this year as part of a migration plan, which will free up these two physical machines. It is most likely that I can get these two upgraded to the 128 GB mirrored RAM. However, the CPUs will most likely stay the same.
All five machines are currently running Windows Server 2008R2 Enterprise SP1.
Is there any benefit to adding the two new machines to the existing cluster and then logically "sub-dividing" the existing cluster into two pairs of machines where I control which instances run on which nodes through Failover Cluster Manager?
Thanks,
Rick
March 12, 2014 at 8:20 am
sellers.rick (3/12/2014)
The current cluster is a pair of Dell servers (not sure of the model number) with Intel Xeon CPU E7-4830 @ 2.13 Ghz (32 cores), 128 GB RAM mirrored (256 GB total, 128 GB usable). These are configured in a SQL Server 2012 cluster. I have a third machine that is identical to these two that is not part of the cluster (it is idle at this time because it has no connection to the SAN).The other pair are also Dell servers (not sure of the model number) with Intel Xeon CPU E5-2660 0 @ 2.20 Ghz (32 cores) and 32 GB RAM (not mirrored). They are currently configured as a SQL Server 2008R2 cluster running one instance with one database. That database will be moved to a SQL Server 2012 cluster this year as part of a migration plan, which will free up these two physical machines. It is most likely that I can get these two upgraded to the 128 GB mirrored RAM. However, the CPUs will most likely stay the same.
All five machines are currently running Windows Server 2008R2 Enterprise SP1.
So, at least all the same OS edition and SP level, that's good. The hardware differs a little, however
sellers.rick (3/12/2014)
Is there any benefit to adding the two new machines to the existing cluster and then logically "sub-dividing" the existing cluster into two pairs of machines where I control which instances run on which nodes through Failover Cluster Manager?Thanks,
Rick
That would be my temptation, separate the nodes logically within the cluster and ensure that only the required nodes have access to the required resources, perfectly valid
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"Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉
March 12, 2014 at 8:35 am
Thanks, Perry, for your time and answers.
Rick
March 13, 2014 at 8:01 am
you're welcome 😎
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"Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉
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