Active/Passive with named instance

  • Is it possible to have named instance in Active Passive configuration.

    We have a virtual server SQLsrv1 and sql resorces in SRVData with drive resorces.

    Also created another group SRVdata2 and added another drive sets to it.Can I install the named instance in the same active node in another group.

  • Certainly you can. Both Clustered SQL Server instances can run on same node or in different nodes.

  • Thanks,

    If we use the passive node for other instance ,wouldnt that make it Active/Active?? Which again might required additional licence for the 2nd node.

  • Once you install second instance, it will be active/active. If you license SQL Server by number CPUs, I don't think you need additional licence but you better check with Microsoft or their vendor for this issue.

  • It depends on how your cluster is set up. Active/Passive means that ONLY ONE node can 'see' the virtual server(s) (shared disks) at one time. The cluster and virtual server(s) must be failed over for the other node to use them.

    If BOTH nodes can see and use the virtual server(s) at the SAME time, then it's an Active/Active cluster.

    Here's how to test which you have. Log on to one node, open My Computer, can you see the drives that the virtual server is on? Don't do anything else. Now, log onto the the other node, open My Computer, can you see the drives now?

    Again, if you can only see the virtual server drives from one node - it's Active/Passive. From both - it's Active/Active.

    -SQLBill

  • In an active/passive failover configuration, there is only one instance of SQL Server running on the cluster. So if a failover should occur, the secondary server will take over once the primary server becomes unavailable. But in an active/active failover configuration, there are two instances of SQL Server running, one on each node. If one of the nodes should fail, then the remaining node will have to run two instances of SQL Server, not just one.

  • Correction about the additional licence. See http://www.microsoft.com/sql/howtobuy/activepassive.asp

    Quoted

    "The only permissible exception to the requirements for a Processor or Server license is a purely passive server with SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition configured in an active/passive failover cluster. In this configuration, a primary node supports all clients and one instance of SQL Server, while a companion node¡ªthe secondary node¡ªremains idle as a dedicated backup, ready to be used if a failover occurs. In this configuration, the passive computer does not require a Processor or Server license. Active/active configurations require licensing both servers as usual."

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