SQL 2005 Cluster Setup Checklist

 

I know there are many resources on various web sites to install SQL Server 2005 on Cluster. Below are the three documents which I always share with my customers.

Server Clusters: Storage Area Networks https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ea283d46-125f-4f94-9059-87681c0ab587&DisplayLang=en

Guide to Creating and Configuring a Server Cluster under Windows Server 2003 https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a5bbb021-0760-48f3-a53b-0351fc3337a1&DisplayLang=en

SQL Clustering White paper: .  https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=818234dc-a17b-4f09-b282-c6830fead499&DisplayLang=en

Another great blog by Arvind on similar topic https://blogs.msdn.com/arvindsh/archive/2009/01/03/sql-server-2000-2005-failover-cluster-pre-installation-checklist.aspx

Below is the template you should fill before stating cluster installation. These will be required through out the process of installing windows cluster and then SQL cluster. You can take printout and make hard copy for your ready reference.

Parameter

Example

Value

Domain Name

MyDomain.com

Node 1 Name

ClusterNode1

Node 2 Name

ClusterNode2

Node 1 Public Network IP Address/Mask

192.168.1.1/255.255.255.0

Node 2 Public Network IP Address/Mask

192.168.1.2/255.255.255.0

Private Network IP Address on Node1

10.10.10.1/255.0.0.0

Private Network IP Address on Node2

10.10.10.2/255.0.0.0

Admin Account Name and Password

Administrator/P@sswOrd101

Windows Cluster Virtual Name

WindowsCLUSTER

Windows Cluster IP Address

192.168.1.3/255.255.255.0

MSDTC IP Address

192.168.1.4/255.255.255.0

MSDTC Network Name

MSDTC

Virtual SQL Server Name (default or named)

SQLCLUSTER\MyInstance

Virtual SQL IP Address

192.168.1.5/255.255.255.0

Cluster Service Account Name and Password

ClusterSVC/P@sswOrd101

SQL Service Account Name and Password

SQL2K5SVC/P@sswOrd101

SQL Server Domain Group Name

SQL Server Admins

MSDTC Disk Letter

M:

Quorum Disk Letter

Q:

Drive letter for SQL Server database files

N, O, P

Any comments are most welcome.