2 Node SQL Server 2016 Cluster in Virtual environment

Moon12 1 Reputation point
2021-03-14T20:23:16.1+00:00

I have a 2 Node SQL Server Failover Cluster between two data centres
Node 1 - Primary - Site1
Node 2 - Secondary - Site2
Data disks - Storage Replica (setup between site1 and 2)
Fileshare witness - on Site 2 on a separate server ( standalone server)

My question is if Site 2 is completely cut off or power down, What happens to the Windows cluster and SQL Services? will it continue to run from Site1? No impact at all?

Windows Server Clustering
Windows Server Clustering
Windows Server: A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.Clustering: The grouping of multiple servers in a way that allows them to appear to be a single unit to client computers on a network. Clustering is a means of increasing network capacity, providing live backup in case one of the servers fails, and improving data security.
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  1. Xiaowei He 9,871 Reputation points
    2021-03-15T06:09:23.747+00:00

    Hi,

    As far as I'm concerned, when site 2 node is down, the SQL instance in Node 2 will failover to node 1, and node 1 will keep running. We need to ensure the Node 1 could access the file share witness.

    Although SQL cluster can keep running with one node + wintess, it's recommended to add at least two nodes in each site, so the cluster may have more fault tolerance.

    Thanks for your time!
    Best Regards,
    Anne

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  2. Alex Bykovskyi 1,681 Reputation points
    2021-03-20T23:02:27.577+00:00

    Hey,

    You can use StarWind VSAN free to create a small replicated device to run as a disk witness for your cluster. In this case, if one of sites fails it will still have a connection to witness drive. Check the following guide for more:
    https://www.starwindsoftware.com/resource-library/starwind-virtual-san-for-hyper-v-2-node-hyperconverged-scenario-with-windows-server-2016/#975a9857211a3b66215d3a2bb624b10e77312268

    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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