CODEWITHSUNDEEP
.netsql-serversql-server-2005cluster-computingfailover
Tangiest
Tangiest

Reputation: 44657

SQL Server 2005 Failover Cluster Using One Server?

I am developing an application that is hosted on a SQL Server 2005 failover cluster. The application (developed using C#, .Net 2.0) makes use of a number of the clustered resources (printers, file shares, etc). I would like to set up a testing environment that replicates the cluster. However, the current test environment has only one SQL server, and there is no hope of ever getting a second server to create a full cluster. Is there some way I can mock the cluster environment using only a single server?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Many thanks, MagicAndi.

Upvotes: 0

Views: 653

Answers (6)

Remus Rusanu
Remus Rusanu

Reputation: 294447

Use virtual machines. I had used MS Virtual Server and R2 for this, it has support for creating a virtual cluster. I've been doing this a lot of times when I had to test against clusters and make sure my code survives fail overs gracefully.

The whole process is a bit convoluted, as you will need to create a virtual private network and have the two virtual hosts share a virtual SCSI drive for the cluster, but fortunately there are good step by step guides out there. Here is a good one: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/virtualserver/deploy/cvs2005.mspx

Once you have your cluster up and running, go ahead and install a clustered SQL instance on it, the process is exactly as you would do it on a real metal cluster.

Upvotes: 2

deepak garg
deepak garg

Reputation: 1

No, MS clustering do supports using virtual machines as cluster nodes....and its a good option to use virtual machines for to test your cluster environment if the physical machine has a good resources.

Upvotes: 0

DForck42
DForck42

Reputation: 20387

I haven't tried it, but you could try installing another instance of sql server on the server.

Upvotes: 0

Cade Roux
Cade Roux

Reputation: 89741

It just so happens that SQL Server Central posted an article on this today: Setting up a SQL cluster under MS VS2005 R2 Part1, By Perry Whittle

Upvotes: 2

Steve Brouillard
Steve Brouillard

Reputation: 3266

About the only potential option would be to set up virtual machines on the one server. Honestly, however, I don't know if MS clutering supports using virtual machines as cluster nodes.

Upvotes: 0

LeoPasta
LeoPasta

Reputation: 300

I would think that you would be able to achieve it through OS virtualization.

Upvotes: 0

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