SQL Server 2005 Failover Cluster Using One Server?

Question

Hi,

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.

Answer 1

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

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

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

Answer 4

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

Answer 5

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 Yyu'll 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.

Answer 6

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.