Attempted to setup SQL2008 within Server 2008 Cluster. the 2 nodes of the
cluster are in different networks.

Am able to fail over the cluster core resources without issue, including an
OR dependancy of the cluster name resource with 2 ip addresses (1 from each
network).

When attempting to install sql into the cluster (using
setup\advanced\prepare cluster and complete cluster); I get an issue where
entering the VIPs returns an address already in use error message for the
other network's VIP. I suspected that this is due to the node that I am
completing the sql cluster setup on didnt have an interface to send out an
ARP, so added another IP from the other network to the nodes tcpip
properties. This alllowed me to proceed past this point and complete setup. I
then removed the IP that I'd added to the ip properties.

The sql instance now fails to start with the following error:
TDNSSNICLIENT initialization failed with error 0x2741, status code 0x1...
the requested address is not valid in this context.

Checked sql server config, and for TCPIP all IP addresses are shown as
disabled, tried to enable the correct ip, but still fails to bring the sql
resource online. If I disable TCPIP then the resource will come online (and
fail from node to node).

First of all, the sql clustering guidance seems to suggest what we are
trying to achive is supported, is it? This link
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms189910.aspx
seems to suggest it is:
If the cluster solution includes geographically-dispersed cluster nodes,
additional items like network latency and shared disk support must be
verified. The entire solution must be on the Geographic Cluster Hardware
Compatibility List. For more information, see Windows clustering and
geographically separate sites in the Microsoft Knowledge Base.
The referenced link in the article makes no mention of SQL however...

Using Sql 2008 SP1 (slipstreamed install) on Windows Server 2008 SP2
thanks.

SQL 2008 does not support the multiple subnet (OR IP Addresses) feature of
Windows 2008 clustering.

Any geographically dispersed cluster must use VLAN technology to have all IP
addresses appear on the same subnet. The article refers to other issues
such as network latency. You still have to come in under overall latency
maximums and the multi-connected storage must have a "helper" resource so
the dependencies can work correctly.


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


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