Creating a new SQL Server Instance in a Failover environment

Question

I am having a real hard time trying to create a new instance for a database using SQL Server 2019 Failover cluster.

I am trying to follow these directions. I am stuck on Step 10 which is Instance Configuration. Normally when I create an instance in a regular SQL Server I just give it an instance name and that is it. In the SQL Server Network Name field would I need to create a new computer in the AD? Would the client point to this db in the connection string? I tried doing that. I entered the instance name and ID the same for my new instance (INSTANCE2). Then in the Cluster Resource Group page I get the same same errors for Available storage and Cluster Group, but also SQL Server(INSTANCE1): "The cluster group 'SQL Server(INSTANCE1)' contains resource 'SQL Server(INSTANCE1)' of type 'SQL Server' That are not permited in a SQL cluster group. Ensure the cluster group does not contain SQL resources from another instance or Generic Service types."
If I click to the next screen (Cluster Disk Selection), I can't select any of my disks.
I get the following errors:
Disk: Quorum: The disk resource 'Quroum' Cannot be used because it is a cluster quorum drive.
SQL-DATA: The disk 'SQL-DATA' is already in use by resource 'SQL Server(INSTANCE1)'. To use a disk in a new SQL Server failover cluster instance, the disk must not have any dependencies that reference it..
SQL-LOGS: The disk 'SQL-LOGS' is already in use by resource 'SQL Server(INSTANCE1)'. To use a disk in a new SQL Server failover cluster instance, the disk must not have any dependencies that reference it.

I am really unsure how to proceed. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi @Rick ,

This seems to be a problem with your shared disk.
It should be noted that a shared disk resource can only belong to one SQL Server instance (in fact, it is not allowed to install SQL Server on a shared disk that has been used by other SQL Server cluster instances when installing a SQL Server cluster instance). However, a SQL Server cluster instance can use multiple shared disks.

Best regards,
Seeya

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Answer 2

So there is no way at all to share storage for a new instance using fail over clustering? Kinda wish I knew this before hand.

I personally like to create a new instance when a system uses multiple databases, to tidy up. Like SharePoint on premise which creates a bunch of databases with no similar names. Is there a Best Practice for when it is necessary to create new instances?