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SQL Server Always On Availability Group Lab Setup

  • September 29, 2020 at 12:44 am

    #3791480

    Hi,

    I wanted to setup/practice Availability Groups( Refer to the below link article) at my own lab since we are of out of test servers. Now, If I have to setup something like the below link, do

    I have to have at least 2 windows servers. If yes, then my best bet is maybe spin those servers on cloud. However let me know your thoughts as well.

    https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/itops-talk-blog/step-by-step-creating-a-sql-server-always-on-availability-group/ba-p/648772

    Can I somehow use 2 pc's and try to setup something like this? sorry if this seems to be dumb question 🙂

    Thanks!

  • September 29, 2020 at 2:07 pm

    #3791644

    My experience is with on premise setups so my comments focus on that.

    I think you can create an Availability Group with just one Windows Server however it will limit what you can learn.

    As far as I know Sql Server 2016 requires a Windows Server Cluster. In later versions of SQL Server there are other options (Linux is one).

    Assuming you require a Windows cluster then one thing to consider is that you need to be using a Server operating system to be able to create the Cluster. I think, in theory, you could use 2 PC's if they have Windows Server on them.

    If you only want to test for a few months then perhaps one option is some Virtual Machines with Windows Server evaluation licenses from Microsoft? You will need to check the license requirements to see if you can use them in your situation.

    If you don't have a domain you can add test configurations to then you may need a third machine/VM for a domain controller. I found that I couldn't get the domain controller and SQL Server to run on one Virtual Machine but that could just be my mistake. My knowledge of domain controllers and active directory is limited.

    There is likely to be suitable cloud options but I'm fairly new to them myself so I'm wary of recommending anything.

  • September 29, 2020 at 3:10 pm

    #3791674

    I was able to spin  up a windows server on aws cloud let me proceed with that option for now. It will be an amazing learning experience if I am able to do it. since these things are already setup when you join an organization.

  • December 2, 2020 at 7:28 am

    This was removed by the editor as SPAM

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