August 29, 2010 at 8:57 am
Anyone know if there is software that is for SQL Farms. Almost like Citrix has it own farm and vm farms. Is there actual SQL Farm software?
We have 21 independant SQL Servers and I am looking for some kind of resource control.
August 29, 2010 at 9:58 am
A SQL Farm would be some type of cluster where you install and manage multiple instances. You can do this with standard Microsoft clustering, but - this can be quite a bit of work everytime you need a new instance.
You would have to assign storage, build a new cluster group - install SQL Server to the new cluster group, add the drives as resources to the cluster group, etc...
With that said, you can take a look at the other clustering solutions that are available. One of those is HP's PolyServe (http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/storage/software/polyserve/db_utility/sql/index.html?jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN). I have used this product and it works well. They have tools available to monitor, install new instances - provision for multiple nodes, etc...
There are other clustering solutions available - Double-Take, Geocluster, etc... You should review all of the options and find one that is suitable for your requirements.
Jeffrey Williams
“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.”
― Charles R. Swindoll
How to post questions to get better answers faster
Managing Transaction Logs
August 29, 2010 at 10:27 am
Polyserve is the only software I'm aware of that's like this.
August 29, 2010 at 10:43 am
Steve Jones - Editor (8/29/2010)
Polyserve is the only software I'm aware of that's like this.
That is the only one I know of that was specifically designed for SQL Server. The other solutions, I have never worked with - so I cannot say whether or not they offer the same kind of consolidation options.
With that said, any clustering software can be used to host multi-instance clusters to manage a SQL Farm. Each one has advantages/disadvantages that have to be evaluated for your environment.
And, of course - there is always the option of using virtual machines (ESX, Hyper-V, etc...). If you are licensed appropriately, you can build a new VM with SQL Server on it - without having to purchase additional licenses (note: this can be very expensive, depending upon how large your VM hosts are, what licensing you need, etc...).
With PolyServe - you license the machine by processor, each new instance does not need to be licensed independently. But, you have to license each machine in the cluster so you can use all nodes to host instances.
Again, evaluate all of the options available and make the best choice for your organization.
Jeffrey Williams
“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.”
― Charles R. Swindoll
How to post questions to get better answers faster
Managing Transaction Logs
August 29, 2010 at 11:02 am
You may find the document mentioned in this discussion useful.
Pradeep Adiga
Blog: sqldbadiaries.com
Twitter: @pradeepadiga
August 29, 2010 at 11:23 am
TRACEY-320982 (8/29/2010)
Anyone know if there is software that is for SQL Farms. Almost like Citrix has it own farm and vm farms. Is there actual SQL Farm software?We have 21 independant SQL Servers and I am looking for some kind of resource control.
for just actual unified resource control you have central management server available in SQL Server 2008!
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