Question

SQL 2005 Active/Active/Passive

SQL, SQL Server clustering, SQL Server 2005

We have a SQL cluster server running with SQL 2005 Enterprise Edition SP2 on Windows 2003 Enterprise Edition.

Currently the cluster has 2 nodes with Active/Active. Now I need to add a new node as a Passive node. So after I have done it, the cluster will be a Active/Active/Passive cluster.



Because the cluster is a production server, I need to know exactly how I add a new node onto the current cluster without breaking anything. Also this is my first time to install a passive node, so it is difficult for me to understand how to install and configure it.

First take the new machine and add it into the cluster, just like you did when adding the second machine to the cluster.

Now edit the resource groups for the two SQL instances and tell them that they can use the third machine.

Then start the SQL installer. When you go through the installer there should be a repair option. In there is should ask you what you want to do with one of the options being something to the effect of add a node to the cluster. It will then push the SQL files and services to the new machine. You will then need to run SP2 (or what ever post SP2 hot fix you are on) to all three nodes in the cluster.

Then repeat with the second instance. Fail the instances to all three nodes to ensure that everything is working correctly.