Hardware Question

#1

Hi,

Should we have two identical machines(i.e. same model, memory size...etc.)
for SQL Server clustering?

Thanks.

#2

Yes. It is essential that the nodes be as close to identical as possible.

--
Tom

----------------------------------------------------
Thomas A. Moreau, BSc, PhD, MCSE, MCDBA, MCITP, MCTS
SQL Server MVP
Toronto, ON Canada
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Tom.Moreau

"Praetorian Guard" <praetorian (AT) gatekeeper (DOT) com> wrote

Hi,

Should we have two identical machines(i.e. same model, memory size...etc.)
for SQL Server clustering?

Thanks.

#3

It Depends.

If you are using Windows 2003, they not only have to be matched, they have
to be cluster-certified.

If you are using Windows 2008, they don't have to be exact matches and as
long as the Cluster Wizard says they pass, then they will work.

Personally, I am using Windows 2008 as my preferred clustering platform.

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

"Praetorian Guard" <praetorian (AT) gatekeeper (DOT) com> wrote

Quote:

Hi,

Should we have two identical machines(i.e. same model, memory size...etc.)
for SQL Server clustering?

Thanks.

#4

On Jan 9, 10:28*am, "Geoff N. Hiten" <SQLCrafts... (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote:

Quote:

It Depends.

If you are using Windows 2003, they not only have to be matched, they have
to be cluster-certified.

If you are using Windows 2008, they don't have to be exact matches and as
long as the Cluster Wizard says they pass, then they will work.

Personally, I am using Windows 2008 as my preferred clustering platform.

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

"Praetorian Guard" <praetor... (AT) gatekeeper (DOT) com> wrote in message

news:ebSBgDkcJHA.1704 (AT) TK2MSFTNGP05 (DOT) phx.gbl...

Hi,

Should we have two identical machines(i.e. same model, memory size...etc.)
for SQL Server clustering?

Thanks.

MS says they do, but we have slightly different machines in one of our
non-sql clusters. it's for support purposes to make things easier.

if MS said use anything you want people would come up with all kinds
of crazy combinations

#5

Asymmetrical clusters are harder to maintain and operate since you have to
balance workloads more carefully.

Windows 2008 really changed how clustering works at the disk level and
opened up a lot of possibilities. Hmm. I sense a blog post coming on.

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

"sql_noob" <alent1234 (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote

On Jan 9, 10:28 am, "Geoff N. Hiten" <SQLCrafts... (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote:

Quote:

It Depends.

If you are using Windows 2003, they not only have to be matched, they have
to be cluster-certified.

If you are using Windows 2008, they don't have to be exact matches and as
long as the Cluster Wizard says they pass, then they will work.

Personally, I am using Windows 2008 as my preferred clustering platform.

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

"Praetorian Guard" <praetor... (AT) gatekeeper (DOT) com> wrote in message

news:ebSBgDkcJHA.1704 (AT) TK2MSFTNGP05 (DOT) phx.gbl...

Hi,

Should we have two identical machines(i.e. same model, memory
size...etc.)
for SQL Server clustering?

Thanks.

MS says they do, but we have slightly different machines in one of our
non-sql clusters. it's for support purposes to make things easier.

if MS said use anything you want people would come up with all kinds
of crazy combinations

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

Hardware Question

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

Hardware Question - 01-09-2009 , 03:58 AM

Re: Hardware Question - 01-09-2009 , 08:06 AM

Re: Hardware Question - 01-09-2009 , 09:28 AM

Re: Hardware Question - 01-10-2009 , 01:24 PM

Re: Hardware Question - 01-13-2009 , 08:16 AM