SQL Server 7.0, 2000 and 2005 Clustering Resources

As important as SQL Server clustering is to those companies that implement it, trying to find good information on how to implement and administer it is another story. And this is why I put this article together.

If you are seriously considering implementing SQL Server 2000 or 2005 under Windows 2000 or Windows 2003; then I highly recommend that you review the following resources before you begin. SQL Server clustering has many gotchas, and the best way to breeze past them is to know about them before you begin.

Recommended Book Resources

For whatever reason, there have been very few books written on Windows server clustering or SQL Server clustering. And the few that have been written are somewhat dated. Below are the names of some books you might want to consider. But before you buy any of them, be sure to check them out at Amazon.com first to be sure that it covers what you are looking for. To be honest with you, none of these books really are great, but they are all that are currently available.

For Windows clustering, consider the following books:

• Tuning Microsoft Server Clusters: Guaranteeing High Availability for Business Networks by Robert W. Buchanan and Robert Buchanan
• MCSE Training Kit: Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server Clustering Services by Microsoft Corporation (out of print)
• Windows 2000 Cluster Server Guidebook: A Guide to Creating and Managing a Cluster (2nd Edition) by Dave Libertone (out of print)
• Windows 2000 Clustering and Load Balancing Handbook by Joseph M. Lamb
• Clustering Windows Server: A Road Map for Enterprise Solutions (covers Windows 2000) by Gary Mauler and Milt Beebe
• Introduction to Microsoft Windows NT Cluster Server: Programming and Administration by Raj Rajagopal
• Windows Server 2003 Clustering and Load Balancing by Robert Shimonski

For SQL Server clustering, consider the following books:

• Microsoft SQL Server 2000 High Availability by Allan Hirt, Cathan Cook, and Kimberley Tripp
• SQL Server 2000 High Availability Volume 2: Deployment by Microsoft Corporation
• MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-431): Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Implementation and Maintenance by Solid Quality Learning and Laura Sackerman
• MCTS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Implementation and Maintenance Study Guide: Exam 70-431 by Joseph L. Jorden and Dandy Weyn

Another book to consider is the Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Resource Kit. While you might want to purchase this book, you can find the book on Microsoft's Web site for free.

This book includes chapters on "Failover Clustering," "Log Shipping," "High Availability Options," and "Five Nines: The Ultimate in High Availability."

Another book that covers a little on Windows 2000 clustering is the Windows 2000 Resource Kit. And for Windows 2003, check out Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Deployment Kit: A Microsoft Resource Kit.

Windows and SQL Server Books Online Resources

One of the best resources for SQL Server 2000 and SQL Server 2005 clustering information is their respective Books Online. While every possible topic is not covered, the basics are covered and Books Online is a great place to start learning the basics.

• Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Books Online
• Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Books Online

Readme Files

Don't forget to check the readme files that come with your products, especially those that come with Windows 2000/2003 and SQL Server 2000/2005 service packs. Installing service packs on clusters can be complicated, so please read the accompanying files carefully.

Recommended URLs on Windows 2000 Clustering

Some of the best information available on Windows clustering comes from Microsoft. Below are some URLs I recommend you check out.

• Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Cluster Service
• MS Cluster Server Administrator's Guide
• Windows 2000/2003 Clustering Hardware Compatibility Catalog
• How to configure event log replication in Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003 cluster servers
• Microsoft Cluster Service Installation Resources
• How to configure MSDTC in a Windows 2000 cluster environment
• Antivirus Software May Cause Problems with Cluster Services
• Network failure detection and recovery in a two-node Windows Server 2000 cluster
• Cluster network role changes automatically
• Server Clusters: Storage Area Networks — For Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003

Recommended URLs on Windows 2003 Clustering

• Windows Server 2003 Clustering
• Technical Overview of Windows Server 2003 Clustering Services
• Microsoft Windows Clustering: Storage Area Networks
• Windows Server 2003 Server Cluster Architecture
• Geographically Dispersed Clusters in Windows Server 2003
• Quorums in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Clusters
• iSCSI Cluster Support: Frequently Asked Questions
• Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003 Technical Resources
• An Overview of Windows Clustering Technologies: Server Clusters and Network Load Balancing
• Windows Server 2003 Clustering Services
• Guide to Creating and Configuring a Server Cluster Under Windows Server 2003
• Server Clusters: Majority Node Set Quorum
• Server Clusters: Remote Setup, Unattended Installations and Image-based Installations
• Windows 2000/2003 Clustering Hardware Compatibility Catalog
• How to configure event log replication in Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003 cluster servers
• Server Clusters: Storage Area Networks — For Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003
• Server Clusters: Rolling Upgrades. Upgrading to Windows Server 2003
• Server Clusters: Backup and Recovery Best Practices for Windows Server 2003
• Server Clusters: Security Best Practices for Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003