Setting up two Named SQL instances to use different NIC Cards.

Question

Setting up two Named SQL instances to use different NIC Cards.

thisguyrox

Mr or Mrs. 500

Points: 546
More actions
July 23, 2010 at 9:09 am

#223675

Hi,
Currently I am setting up a new SQL 2008 ent.server(64-bit) on Win 2008 ent(64-bit). I would like to create two named instances. The physical server has two nic cards assigned with different IP address. Now I want to create the one instance to use nic1 and other instance to use nic2 for any network activites.
Do we have any explicit setting in SQL Server that would force it to use the specific NIC card.
Would appreciate any help
Thanks,
Open SQL Server Configuration Manager.
Under SQL Server 200[x] Network Configuration, select Protocols for [INSTANCE_NAME].
Double-click TCP/IP. On the Protocol tab, set Listen All to No.
On the IP Addresses tab, make sure IP1 is enabled, and IP2 is disabled. For IP1, enter the IP address of the NIC in IP Address.

_________________________________
seth delconte
http://sqlkeys.com

seth delconte SSCertifiable Points: 6388 More actions · Answer 1

I'm not absolutely positive this is the way to do it - if someone can confirm that these instructions are correct, that would be great:

Andy Hogg SSCarpal Tunnel Points: 4585 More actions · Answer 2

Hi,

Not possible to force SQL Server to use a specific NIC, but possible to force it to use a specific IP address - so in your scenario this would achieve exactly the same thing.

The "SQL Server Configuration Manager" which can be found within the "Configuration Tools" program group is the tool that will help you do this.

On the left pane expand the SQL Server Network Configuration, then highlight "Protocols for <YourInstanceNameHere>".

Over on the right pane right-click "TCP/IP" and click "Properties".

On the "Protocol" tab set "Listen All" to "No".

Then on the "IP Addresses" tab, set the "Enabled" property to "Yes" for the IP Address you would like SQL Server to listen on, and then set to "No" for the IP Address" you do not want SQL Server to listen on.

Then repeat this for the above instance with the other IP Address.

Hope that helps.

thisguyrox Mr or Mrs. 500 Points: 546 More actions · Answer 3

Thank you for the response.

I currently have one instance installed and one NIC card. I will add the remaining later.

But, I see that we have total 5 IP Addresses in the TCP/IP Properties (IP1 to IP5). Out of which only IP1 shows a proper IP address (10.15.44.75)

Currently, In TCP/IP Properties, Listen all is "Yes" and all IP's are "ENABLED=NO".

IP2 is ::1

IP3 is 127.0.0.1

IP4 is fe80::5efe:10.15.44.75%12

IP5 is fe80::100:7f:fffe%13.

Based on my understanding this IP1 corresponds to NIC1 and If I add an other NIC we would see a corresponding IP in IP2.

I would then have to set TCP/IP Properties, Listen all is "NO" and IP1 enabled=yes for Instance1 and IP2 enabled=yes for instance2.

Please help me understand if this is true.

Thanks,

Andy Hogg SSCarpal Tunnel Points: 4585 More actions · Answer 4

So yes, "Listen All" is set to "NO" and then the "Enabled" property for the individual IP address you want for the specific instance is set to "YES".

Then the same thing when you add the second NIC and install the second instance. Choosing the other address used by the second NIC of course.

I would also suggest enabling 127.0.0.1 for both instances since this is the loopback address.

Other than that should be pretty straight forward.

Good luck.

Sudeepta SSCommitted Points: 1666 More actions · Answer 5

The IP2 is the loop back address for IPv6. Windows Server 2008 supports both IPv4 and IPv6, and by default, both are enabled on the network adapter. You may need to check whether you are going to use IPv6 currently otherwise, you may disable the same.

Thanks & Regards,
Sudeepta.
http://twitter.com/skganguly