Because of the nature of SQL Server 2000 clustering, you want to ensure that it is as reliable as possible. One of the ways to help ensure that is to be sure that you have installed the latest SQL Server 2000 Service Pack on the SQL Server 2000 Cluster before you put it into production. Its installation requires a reboot of both nodes, and adding the service pack now, rather than later, can reduce potential downtime later on.
Installing SQL Server 2000 Service Pack on a SQL Server 2000 Cluster
Follow these steps to install the most recent SQL Server 2000 Service Pack on your SQL Server 2000 cluster installation. 1) Either from a local drive, or the Service Pack installation CD, on the primary node of the cluster (the node you used to install SQL Server 2000), run “setup.bat.” This screen first appears:
2) Click “Next,” and this screen appears:
3) Enter the name of the SQL Server virtual server to be upgraded with the service pack. Note that “Virtual Server” is selected for you, and is the only choice. Then click “Next,” and this screen appears:
4) SQL Server wants to know how to authenticate you. You can either use SA and its password, or use “Windows Authentication.” Click “Next,” and several message screens will appear, then this message is displayed:
5) Here, you must enter account information for an account that is a local administrator on both nodes of the cluster. The setup program uses this information to remotely upgrade the secondary node. Click “Next,” and several message screens appear as the service pack is installed. Once the installation is complete, this screen appears: