do I need a domain in order to run a cluster?

#1

Hi, I am a complete newbie with windows clustering -
still reading the white papers etc. From what I have read
it seems that I need a Windows Domain in order to run
clustering. Is this true? Is there any way I can cluster
SQL server without having to setup a domain?

thanks
christos

#2

Yes. You must have a domain to run a cluster. No, you can't get around
having a domain.

--
Geoff N. Hiten
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Senior Database Administrator
Careerbuilder.com

I support the Professional Association for SQL Server
www.sqlpass.org

"Christos Kritikos" <anonymous (AT) discussions (DOT) microsoft.com> wrote

Quote:

Hi, I am a complete newbie with windows clustering -
still reading the white papers etc. From what I have read
it seems that I need a Windows Domain in order to run
clustering. Is this true? Is there any way I can cluster
SQL server without having to setup a domain?

thanks
christos

#3

Hi Geoff,

I too have the same doubt. What are some Technical
reasons forcing cluster to run in a domain?

Thanks

Chip.

Quote:

-----Original Message-----
Yes. You must have a domain to run a cluster. No, you
can't get around
having a domain.

--
Geoff N. Hiten
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Senior Database Administrator
Careerbuilder.com

I support the Professional Association for SQL Server
www.sqlpass.org

"Christos Kritikos"
anonymous (AT) discussions (DOT) microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:030001c49b56$400d9060$a301280a (AT) phx (DOT) gbl...

Hi, I am a complete newbie with windows clustering -
still reading the white papers etc. From what I have
read
it seems that I need a Windows Domain in order to run
clustering. Is this true? Is there any way I can
cluster
SQL server without having to setup a domain?

thanks
christos

.

#4

You have to have a common security context for the cluster service to manage
resources on multiple machines. Parallel usernames and paswords will not
work. You have to have a domain (NT4 or AD) to provide cluster-wide access
to resources.

--
Geoff N. Hiten
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Senior Database Administrator
Careerbuilder.com

I support the Professional Association for SQL Server
www.sqlpass.org

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

Quote:

Hi Geoff,

I too have the same doubt. What are some Technical
reasons forcing cluster to run in a domain?

Thanks

Chip.
-----Original Message-----
Yes. You must have a domain to run a cluster. No, you
can't get around
having a domain.

--
Geoff N. Hiten
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Senior Database Administrator
Careerbuilder.com

I support the Professional Association for SQL Server
www.sqlpass.org

"Christos Kritikos"
anonymous (AT) discussions (DOT) microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:030001c49b56$400d9060$a301280a (AT) phx (DOT) gbl...

Hi, I am a complete newbie with windows clustering -
still reading the white papers etc. From what I have
read
it seems that I need a Windows Domain in order to run
clustering. Is this true? Is there any way I can
cluster
SQL server without having to setup a domain?

thanks
christos

.

#5

Thanks Geoff & Uttam.

Chip

Quote:

-----Original Message-----
There is some good information in

281662 Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003 Cluster Nodes
As Domain Controllers
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=281662

Here is a section from the same.

To have Windows Clustering function properly (where the
Cluster service starts on each node) the node that forms

the cluster must be able to validate the Cluster service
domain account, which is the account that you

Quote:

configure during the Windows Clustering installation. To
accomplish this, each node must be able to establish a

secure channel with a domain controller to validate this
account. If the node cannot validate the

Quote:

account, the Cluster service does not start. This is also
true for other clustered programs that must have account

validation for services to start, such as Microsoft SQL
Server and Microsoft Exchange.

Quote:

If you have a cluster deployment in which there is no
link with either a Windows NT 4.0 domain, a Windows 2000

domain, or a Windows Server 2003 domain, you must
configure the cluster nodes as domain

Quote:

controllers so that the Cluster service account can
always be validated to allow for proper cluster

functionality.

Quote:

If the connectivity between cluster nodes and domain
controllers is such that the link is either slow or

unreliable, consider having a domain controller co-located
with the cluster, or configuring the cluster nodes as

Quote:

domain controllers.

Consider the following important points when you are
deploying Windows Clustering nodes as domain controllers:
------> See the above KB
(http://support.microsoft.com/?id=281662)

Best Regards,

Uttam Parui
Microsoft Corporation

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
confers no rights.

Are you secure? For information about the Strategic
Technology Protection Program and to order your FREE

Security Tool Kit, please visit
http://www.microsoft.com/security.

Quote:

Microsoft highly recommends that users with Internet
access update their Microsoft software to better protect

against viruses and security vulnerabilities. The easiest
way to do this is to visit the following websites:

Quote:

http://www.microsoft.com/protect
http://www.microsoft.com/security/guidance/default.mspx

.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

do I need a domain in order to run a cluster?

microsoft.public.sqlserver.clustering microsoft.public.sqlserver.clustering

do I need a domain in order to run a cluster? - 09-15-2004 , 02:00 PM

Re: do I need a domain in order to run a cluster? - 09-15-2004 , 02:13 PM

Re: do I need a domain in order to run a cluster? - 09-17-2004 , 05:06 AM

Re: do I need a domain in order to run a cluster? - 09-17-2004 , 09:15 AM

Re: do I need a domain in order to run a cluster? - 09-20-2004 , 01:38 AM