1) We have a two node SQL Server 2000 SP4 Ent on Windows 2003 Ent SP2
failover cluster. One of the nodes is not available and we are trying to add
a node to replace it. We added a third node to the windows cluster, but I
get an error when running the SQL install on that node.

"One (or more) of the nodes of the NT cluster are unavailable. Setup will
continue and allow you to modify the virtual server to remove the offline
nodes. Once complete you will be able to perform the normal setup on the
clustered instances."

Does this mean we must either repair the damaged node or remove it before we
can add the new node?

2) If the node is added, do I need to apply SP4 directly on the new node?

Thanks, Randy

Yes. You must either remove the node or repair it. I recommend removing it
from both SQL(via the installer) and the cluster. Note that these are
separate steps. You can then run the installer to add the RTM bits to the
new node.

You have to apply SP4 cluster-wide. The installer doesn't do individual
nodes.

--
Geoff N. Hiten
Principal SQL Infrastructure Consultant
Microsoft SQL Server MVP




"Randy" <Randy (AT) discussions (DOT) microsoft.com> wrote

Thanks. If SP4 was already applied cluster-wide, do I need to re-apply it
after adding a new node? Does it require downtime on the active node if it
already has SP4?

"Geoff N. Hiten" wrote:

Unfortunately, the answer is yes.

The SQL 2000 SP4 installer is a cluster-wide installer and will re-apply the
SP to all nodes. SQL 2008 introduced rolling upgrades and single-node
patching.

Just like the first time, you will incur downtime.

--
Geoff N. Hiten
Principal SQL Infrastructure Consultant
Microsoft SQL Server MVP





"Randy" <Randy (AT) discussions (DOT) microsoft.com> wrote