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How to create SQL Server 2005 Clustering with Virtual Server 2005 (Part 1)

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After delivering SQL Training, I realized that there is a need to write a blog which talks about Installing SQL Server 2005 cluster on Virtual Environment. Many DBA wants to see how Cluster looks like and they don't have capability to buy/see actual cluster.

There is an easy solution to the problem by using Virtual Server 2005.

I will try to be as descriptive as possible. In case something is not clear, please provide feedback.

Prerequisites

You also have to download Microsoft Virtual Server (https://technet.microsoft.com/hi-in/bb738033(en-us).aspx)

You also need to download ISO image for SQL Server 2005 evaluation edition (https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=6931fa7f-c094-49a2-a050-2d07993566ec&DisplayLang=en)

You should also have virtual hard disk of operating system. (Download available https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=77f24c9d-b4b8-4f73-99e3-c66f80e415b6&DisplayLang=en)

Above link has three files to download. You have to download all files. Once you download content from above link, you need to extract to a folder in local machine using

WIN2K3R2EESP2.part1.exe

. I extracted in (E:\Virtual Server)

Extracted Files

Please refer the readme file in above folder after you download.

NOTE: THIS SETUP WILL WORK ONLY FOR 30 days(depends on Read Me)

One you extracted the files, make three copies of virtual hard disk. One for Domain Controller, second for node1 and third for node2. I have created files as below:

E:\Virtual Server\MyDC\MyDC.vhd

E:\Virtual Server\MyNode1\MyNode1.vhd

E:\Virtual Server\MyNode2\MyNode2.vhd

 

Folders

Once you have downloaded and installed Virtual Server you should see new menu item in Programs.

 Virtual Server Startup

 

Now, we will configure the Virtual Servers. First we need to Create Virtual Machine so that we have three separate virtual servers available. Make sure you set the Search Path at below screen.

On Left Side Menu choose Virtual Server > Server Properties > Search Path

Search Path

 

Create Domain Controller

 

below is the screen shot of "MyDC" setting. Information which I filled in is

 

 

 

 

 

Virtual Machine Name MyDC
Memory 256
Use Existing hard disk Use the location from drop down (E:\Virtual Server\MyDC\MyDC.vhd)
Connected To Internal Network

 

 

    

My DC Create Virtual Server

Click on Create.

Now, Go to Master Status and try to "Turn ON" the domain controller (I know its not yet a DC but in next step we are going to make it)

One you log in to MyDC, rename the machine to MyDC (by right click on My Computer > Properties) You need to restart the computer after renaming.

Next step is to run "dcpromo" command to make this machine as domain controller. Start>Run>dcpromo

dcpromo

Accept all settings as default, below are few which you need to modify.

Install DNS on this computer

MyCluster

During setup if it asks for windows installation CD, please point it to C:\WindowsInstallationFiles\I386 folder. Also, when prompted, please provide IP address as 192.1.1.1. You will be prompted to restart the machine.

When you can logon screen after reboot, "Log on to" should have MyCluster selected.

LogOn After Making DC

Now we have one machine ready which will act as domain controller for our cluster setup.

Create Member Servers

You are now having one Domain Controller in your Virtual Network. Now, lets add two member servers in the domain. As we did earlier, we have to add rest two vhd to server. Below screen shot is for Node2.

 

Node 2 Create Virtual Server

After configuration on Virtual Servers, follow below steps

1. Rename the nodes to MyNode1 and MyNode2 (still in Workgroup).

My Computer > Right Click > Properties > Computer Name

Rename Nodes

Then Restart MyNode1 and MyNode2

2. Disable the Firewall on all three machines.

Control Panel > Windows Firewall

Firewall

Select "Off" from the UI.

3. Change the IP address of machines.

MyNode1 - 192.1.1.2 (DNS Server 192.1.1.1)

MyNode2 - 192.1.1.3 (DNS Server 192.1.1.1)

4. Join the machine to domain (MyCluster.com) Below screen shot.

Join MyCluster

This finishes setup of one domain controller and two member servers.

Now we have to make MyNode1 and MyNode2 as single cluster.

lets move on to Part 2

Comments

  • Anonymous
    June 29, 2008
    PingBack from http://marcellotonarelli.wordpress.com/2008/06/30/how-to-create-sql-server-2005-clustering-with-virtual-server-2005/

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2009
    In previous parts( Part 1 , Part 2 and Part 3 ), we have completed windows clustering. Now, before installing

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2009
    In Part 1 and Part 2 , we configured till setting up Quorum drive on MyNode1. First we need to change

  • Anonymous
    March 01, 2009
    Hi Balmukund,Is creating SQL Server cluster on virtual server 2005 similar, or reasonably similar or totally different to creating them on Window 2000 Advance Server or Windows2000 Datacenter Edition.Thanks

  • Anonymous
    March 01, 2009
    I am not clear with the question. We are using Virtual Server 2005 to virtualize the OS. We are using 3 virtual machines of Windows 2003 to create cluster+DC. You can also use Windows 2000 vhd.If you have physical machines (windows 2000) and SAN, you could followMicrosoft Cluster Service Installation Resourceshttp://support.microsoft.com/?id=259267Server Clusters: Network Configuration Best Practices for Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/technologies/clustering/clstntbp.mspxSQL Clustering White paper: .  http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=818234dc-a17b-4f09-b282-c6830fead499&DisplayLang=en

  • Anonymous
    March 03, 2009
    By this I mean, if I was to implement it on the physical machines, will the procedure you used also apply if I was to implement the cluster on physical machines rather than virtual machines, i.e. Setting network adapter, SCSI adapter, creating cluster groups, MSDTC configuration, installing SQL Server 2005, changing the IP Address, etc.

  • Anonymous
    March 03, 2009
    Yeah. you would perform almost same tasks. For physical machine below document is the best...SQL Clustering White paper: .  http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=818234dc-a17b-4f09-b282-c6830fead499&DisplayLang=en

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2009
    Dear Friend,Let me know your MyDC,MyNode1 and MyNode2 woindow administrator password please..Thanks

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2009
    Friend,Now I found.Thanks

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2009
    ReadMe file should have password in it.

  • Anonymous
    May 14, 2009
    Hi Friend,Now I installed SQL cluster group is IP 192.168.0.145. Cluster group is 192.168.0.140. But I want to use one IP only. So can I change SQL cluster IP to 192.168.0.140? Is it ok for SQL cluster?Thanks.

  • Anonymous
    May 14, 2009
    Sorry to say but its not possible. You must have seperate IP for Cluster and SQL.http://blogs.msdn.com/blakhani/archive/2008/06/09/sql-2005-cluster-setup-checklist.aspx

  • Anonymous
    May 14, 2009
    Hi Friend,Thank for your quick reply.After installing SQL fail over for default instance, if I need to install next other instance, how will I do?Please....Thanks

  • Anonymous
    May 14, 2009
    Run the setup again and on screen where you have to choose instance name, choose named instance and provide new virtual server name and instance name.step 10 and 11 would change in the below link..http://blogs.msdn.com/blakhani/archive/2008/01/19/how-to-create-sql-server-2005-clustering-with-virtual-server-2005-part-5.aspx

  • Anonymous
    June 21, 2009
    Dear Sir,Can I know how many computer that we need for this testing ?If you need 3 computers , Can I know what is the OS of MyNode1 and MyNode2 ?

  • Anonymous
    June 21, 2009
    Hi Pech Matine,You just need one computer. We are using Virtual server to simulate three machines with in one machine.Regards,Balmukund

  • Anonymous
    August 19, 2009
    Dear Sir,If I need one computer , Do I need to use Virtual PC or not ? because If we don't need Virtual PC how can we setup windows server 2003 on other PC ?Thanks

  • Anonymous
    August 19, 2009
    Hi,Can you tell me how to create virtual hard disk of operating system ? because I can't download from internet cause the speed of my internet so slow.Best Regard,Seng Solong.

  • Anonymous
    August 20, 2009
    Hi Pech Matine,You need to use Virtual Server software which is free download from Microsoft websiteRegards,Balmukund

  • Anonymous
    August 20, 2009
    Hi Seng Solong,Its available on internet. Not sure how can i help you in slow connection case.Regards,Balmukund

  • Anonymous
    August 20, 2009
    Hi,1- Does the virtual hard disk of operating system can run on Windows 2003 SP 2?2- How can I Rename the nodes to MyNode1 and MyNode2 ? because I have only one OS and run one computer.Thanks

  • Anonymous
    August 20, 2009
    Hi Pech Matine,Basically, we are using Virtualization technology here. This means that you can host multiple machines on just one hardware based operating system. MyNode1 and MyNode2 are two virtual machines hosted on your laptop/desktop. MyNode1 and MyNode2 would be used VHD (virtual hard disks) which are files located on your base machine.In technical terms, "host" is the machine running virtual machines and "guest" is the machines which is running inside "host"Hope this helps.Balmukund

  • Anonymous
    August 24, 2009
    Dear Sir,Can you show all IP address of all node (MyDC,MyNode1,MyNode2)?Thanks

  • Anonymous
    August 24, 2009
    Dear Sir,I don't under stand this step :Rename the nodes to MyNode1 and MyNode2 (still in Workgroup). How can I rename the my computer name to MyNode1 and MyNode2 ? because after I finish Create Member Servers (MyNode1 and MyNode2) then I go to right-click on my computer and see that :My Computer Name : MyDC.MyCluster.com

  • Anonymous
    August 24, 2009
    Not sure if I understood your question correctly... Below are IP Addresses...MyDC - 192.1.1.1MyNode1 - 192.1.1.2MyNode2 - 192.1.1.3

  • Anonymous
    August 24, 2009
    Hi matineit,DCPromo need to be run on one of the virtual servers and 2nd virtual server and 3rd virtual server would join the domain.Regards,Balmukund

  • Anonymous
    August 24, 2009
    Dear Sir,Can you detail the step when I take 2nd and 3rd Virtual Server join the domain ? Because you said we need only one computer it can create cluster sql.Thanks

  • Anonymous
    August 25, 2009
    you need to refer my earlier reply about virtual server. let me try to explain again.you need to install virtual server 2005 on your machine and create three virtual machine. In my whole series I never suggested to make any change to physical OS. MyNode1, MyNode2 and MyDC are virtual machines hosted on physical hardware.please feel free to reply back if you need more clarity.

  • Anonymous
    August 25, 2009
    Dear Sir,Sorry, Now I need to clearly with you again. This is my step will build the first cluster sqlserver :1- Is it I need 3 Computers ?2- Do I need to install Virtual Server on each machine (3 computers) ?3- What OS for MyNode1 and MyNode2 (Window 2003 server or it can Windows XP) ?Much Thank for your support.

  • Anonymous
    August 25, 2009
    Hi,Please note that this whole blogs series is to help you in getting your hands dirty before playing with production.Below are the answersNo, you need only one computerNo, only one computer needed for whole blog series. Windows 2003 is used on virtual machines. If you are creating a true cluster for production then you need real storage (SAN), real hardware computers.Regards,Balmukund

  • Anonymous
    August 25, 2009
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    August 25, 2009
    Hi,Can you tell me the password for login to MyDC ?Thanks

  • Anonymous
    August 29, 2009
    Hi matineit,Sorry for delay in response.It looks like are making your own machine as domain controller. I don't know password of your machine.As exaplined earlier, you need to use Virtual Machines to play with.For vhd's password, you should refer to ReadMe file which comes along with vhd.Regards,Balmukund

  • Anonymous
    March 06, 2011
    can i install sql server 2008 in this cluster?

  • Anonymous
    September 09, 2012
    I have added all 2 nodes but while doing logon it ask for password what we need to give