Set up windows server 2008R2 failover cluster Step by step - guide required

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Set up windows server 2008R2 failover cluster Step by step - guide required

winston Smith

SSCoach

Points: 19500
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October 22, 2011 at 9:50 am

#261776

Hi.
Apologies for the relative open-endedness of the question, but im in a bit of a jam. Ive been put on an assignment for a client where i potentially have to build a Windows Server 2008R2 Failover Cluster from scratch.
I have almost no experience with this, but i do have access to a lab with a bunch of VM's so i want to try it out there a few times.
Ive googled but found little. In case ive missed anything, can anyone advise on a good link or book that brings you through the process of building up a cluster?
Thanks!

Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

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Perry Whittle SSC Guru Points: 234013 More actions · Answer 1

winston Smith (10/22/2011)
Hi.
Apologies for the relative open-endedness of the question, but im in a bit of a jam. Ive been put on an assignment for a client where i potentially have to build a Windows Server 2008R2 Failover Cluster from scratch.
I have almost no experience with this, but i do have access to a lab with a bunch of VM's so i want to try it out there a few times.
Ive googled but found little. In case ive missed anything, can anyone advise on a good link or book that brings you through the process of building up a cluster?
Thanks!

My 3 part guide on this site should help. Find it at this link[/url]

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"Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉

Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 2

See Jonathan's blog series:

http://www.sqlskills.com/blogs/jonathan/post/Building-a-Completely-Free-Playground-for-SQL-Server-e28093-(1-of-3)-Downloading-the-Software-and-Setting-up-a-Windows-Server-2008R2-VM-Template.aspx

http://www.sqlskills.com/blogs/jonathan/post/Building-a-Completely-Free-Playground-for-SQL-Server-e28093-2-e28093-Setting-up-Active-Directory-and-the-iSCSI-Virtual-SAN.aspx

http://www.sqlskills.com/blogs/jonathan/post/Building-a-Completely-Free-Playground-for-SQL-Server-3-Creating-the-Failover-Cluster-Nodes-and-Configuring-the-iSCSI-Environment.aspx

http://www.sqlskills.com/blogs/jonathan/post/Building-a-Completely-Free-Playground-for-SQL-Server-4-Creating-the-Cluster.aspx

p.s. As a consultant, accepting work that you don't know how to do is not a particularly good idea. Mess up and that's a client that won't want your services again and maybe even one who will spread the news around.

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

winston Smith SSCoach Points: 19500 More actions · Answer 3

GilaMonster (10/22/2011)
p.s. As a consultant, accepting work that you don't know how to do is not a particularly good idea. Mess up and that's a client that won't want your services again and maybe even one who will spread the news around.

Thanks all for those links, they are super helpful.

I understand your point Gail, however it was accepted by the company i work for and I was told to skill up as i may need to work on it, which is what im doing.

I would never accept something I was not confident that i could do or at least learn in the time frame allowed.

Thanks!

Perry Whittle SSC Guru Points: 234013 More actions · Answer 4

As comprehensive as my article is, It takes longer than a couple of days and a forum guide to become proficient with windows clusters 😉

Most of the people on here who provide clustering help have been deploying\managing windows clusters for years.

Just ensure the company don't want a slice of your PI policy if anything goes wrong 😉

Build yourself a test system first and use this to iron out your uncertainties

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"Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉

winston Smith SSCoach Points: 19500 More actions · Answer 5

Perry Whittle (10/22/2011)
As comprehensive as my article is, It takes longer than a couple of days and a forum guide to become proficient with windows clusters 😉

Well aware of that perry. I'm only standby on this project. But as a indirectly quote your sig, I want to break most of my eggs in a test lab!

Perry Whittle SSC Guru Points: 234013 More actions · Answer 6

Yes you do! 😉

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"Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉