How to apply SQL Server SP4 on Active \ Actice cluster

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How to apply SQL Server SP4 on Active \ Actice cluster

sivaprasad

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April 25, 2006 at 6:13 am

#167985

On SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition with SP3a running on Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition in a Active \ Active Cluster.
There are two nodes on the cluster. Both nodes are active. There are 6 instances of SQL Servers running on each nodes.
The box is with 24x7 availability. What would be the optimal approach to achieve this with minimal downtime?
           1.
Is that can I move all the SQL Server instances from Node A to Node B
              and        take the Node a "Pause" then apply the SQL Server SP4?
            2. What is the optimal approach to minimize the downtime on applying the SP4
                 on all the instances in both nodes?
            3. What would be easier approach to rollback in case it goes wrong?
            4. When applying the SQL Server SP4 it would ask for reboot, can I cancel the
                reboot and install the SP4 on all the 4 instances on a node then go for single
                reboot of the node?
        5. Can I apply the SQL Server SP4 on the instances which are offline?
Sivaprasad S - [ SIVA ][/url]http://sivasql.blogspot.com/[/url]

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David.Poole SSC Guru Points: 76035 More actions · Answer 1

Do you have AWE enabled?

If so then you need to install the 2040 hot fix as well as SP4 (build 2039).

Each instance needs a separate install of the service pack.

SP4 readme.htm says that a roll back is not possible.

When I applied SP4 + hotfix the server didn't ask for a reboot but did ask to restart the MSSQLSERVER and SQLSERVERAGENT services. You will have a service per instance.

Not sure of the answers to your other questions.

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sivaprasad SSCertifiable Points: 6183 More actions · Answer 2

Hi David,

Thanks for the reply.

So you mean to say that I have 6 Instances on both nodes, I need to apply one by one on each instaces. It is just restarting of the service required not reboot of the box.

Sivaprasad S - [ SIVA ][/url]http://sivasql.blogspot.com/[/url]

John Mitchell-245523 SSC Guru Points: 148809 More actions · Answer 3

Depending on what services you have running when you apply the service pack, you may or may not have to restart the computer(s). But if you are doing this six times, one after the other, choose No after each one (if asked) and reboot when they're all done.

John

David.Poole SSC Guru Points: 76035 More actions · Answer 4

If you have 6 instances spread across 2 nodes (making 6 virtual and 12 real) then you need to apply the service pack to your 6 instances.

SP4 is cluster aware so install it on virtual server and it propogates to the nodes.

As stated the server reboot depends on what services are being used.

Whatever else happens I would plan for a complete reboot at the end of the 6th install in any case.

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