Always On Failover Cluster Instances (FCI) on existing SQL Server

Shivkumar Mallesappa 21 Reputation points
2021-10-05T10:40:16.593+00:00

I have launched three EC2 Windows_Server-2019_SQL_2019_Standard instances. How can I implement Always On Failover Cluster Instances (FCI) on these existing SQL Servers. I can only find details like when you install SQL first time that time only you can choose the Failover Clustering option.

SQL Server
SQL Server
A family of Microsoft relational database management and analysis systems for e-commerce, line-of-business, and data warehousing solutions.
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Windows Server
Windows Server
A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
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  1. AmeliaGu-MSFT 13,961 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2021-10-06T03:07:12.317+00:00

    Hi ShivkumarMallesappa-3997,

    For SQL Server standard Edition, there is limitation of 2 nodes within a single Always On failover cluster instance. Please check this doc.
    And we cannot convert a standalone instance to a SQL Server FCI. We have to create a new SQL Server FCI, and run SQL Server Setup on the node that is to be added to the SQL Server failover cluster instance.
    To install FCI, please refer to the tutorial part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4 which might be helpful.

    Best Regards,
    Amelia

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  1. Alex Bykovskyi 1,681 Reputation points
    2021-10-05T16:26:07.337+00:00

    Hey,

    You will need shared storage to deploy SQL FCI on 3 nodes. You can use either Azure Shared disks or S2D as a shared storage option. Check for more information.
    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/failover-cluster-instance-overview

    As an alternative, StarWind VSAN can be used as a shared storage to provide replicated pool to a FCI Cluster. The following article covers the configuration process:
    https://www.starwindsoftware.com/resource-library/starwind-virtual-san-installing-and-configuring-sql-server-2019-tp-failover-cluster-instance-on-windows-server-2016/

    Cheers,
    Alex Bykovskyi
    StarWind Software
    Note: Posts are provided “AS IS” without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose

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