sql2008 cluster side by side with sql 2005 cluster?

  • I have been tasked with installing SQL Server 2008 Enterprise (not R2) on a Windows 2003 Enterprise server that is currently running a clustered SQL Server 2005 Enterprise installation. This is a big box with plenty of cpu.

    My question is whether or not it is possible to run these 2 products side by side? I know it is possible to do without clustering but wanted to ask the experts if it was possible to do this with clustering in use?

    Thank you!

    Even as a mother protects with her life
    Her child, her only child,
    So with a boundless heart
    Should one cherish all living beings;

  • Yes - it is possible to run multiple instances in a cluster, and no reason why you cannot run both 2008 and 2005 on the same cluster.

    Remember, in a cluster you will need separate resources for each instance. That is, you will need another cluster group defined for the second instance, separate drives for the database files, a separate virtual IP address and name, etc...

    Once those are set up - perform the cluster install and select the new cluster group, using the new drives and IP address and name.

    Note: this will require multiple server restarts - which will mean several small outages for the application as the existing cluster groups are failed over and the servers restarted.

    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

Viewing 2 posts - 1 through 1 (of 1 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply