Multiple "Default" instances in SQL Server cluster? (AKA multiple clustered instances without requiring an instance name to connect)

Question

I'm setting up multiple SQL instances on an active/active cluster, and on our existing SQL Cluster, the cluster name is SQLCLUSTER, but we access the instances as SQLCLUSTERINST1\Instance1, SQLCLUSTERINST2\Instance2, etc. Since each instance has its own IP and network name anyway, can I install SQL as the "Default" instance on each network name? I'd really like to access my instances without having to give the instance name (ie, instead of the above, just SQLCLUSTERINST1, SQLCLUSTERINST2, etc), but my understanding of SQL is that, even in a cluster, the instance name is required, even though the IP already uniquely identifies an instance.

Does anybody know if I can do this? I'm about to install the first instance, and I wanted to get an answer to this before I start installing them as named instances if I don't need to. It just seems reduntant, and potentially unnecessary, to have to give the instance cluster name and the instance name to connect to a server when just the instance cluster name would uniquely identify a sql instance as-is. I would expect one default instance per cluster group (as they'd share an IP), but not per cluster.

Answer 1

You can only use default instances in an active/passive cluster. The reason for this is because you cannot have multiple default instances installed on the same server, clustering requires an instance to be installed on each node of the cluster to support fail over.

Answer 2

I ended up finding a work-around for this. While I installed named instances on the cluster, I can access them using port 1433 on each DNS name, so I don't have to provide the isntance name to connect, which is what I was after.

I've detailed the steps on my blog

Answer 3

Good idea rwmnau. I haven't read your blog post, yet, but I suspect the limitation revolves around registry keys or directory structures. Remember, each node only has one registry hive for SQL Server. There's a registry key that lists the instances on the box. It's a space separated list. I'm pretty sure that list has to have distinct values in it, therefore, you can't have more than one MSSQLSERVER instance. The internal instance name for default instances is MSSQLSERVER. So I think, if nothing else, there's your limitation, there. However, I do think you have a wonderful idea with using port 1433 for all instances involved. Good job and thanks for sharing. I think I might try that myself on my next cluster!