HI All, What is the best way to shutdown a SQL server 2005 in a cluster environment. and also to start a Sql server. Thanks, Gautham.R

As you are prepared for a downtime on the database, best way is to detach the databses rename the physical name of the files and reattach again. Detach - SP_DETACH_DB Attach - SP_ATTACH_DB For more information and code examples for these SPs refer to Books online (updated0.

Why not? For Export you could use DTS and attach database similar to using SP_ATTACH_DATABASE statement, there is no difference for databases for a clustered and non-clustered environment. Cluster is based for SQL SErver services so you should be ok.