What we must do now is to complete the information for “Virtual hard disk 2.” Next to “Attachment” we must select “Primary channel (1). This is our virtual SCSI device. Next, we must enter the path and filename of our shared array next to “Fully qualified path to file.” Once this is done, click on “OK.” The completed the assignment of the virtual shared array to the virtual SCSI adapter for this virtual machine.
Our last configuration step, before installing the OS, is to specify the Private network for this virtual machine. As you may remember, the Public network was specified when we initially created the virtual machine. To do this, from the “Configuration” screen for the virtual machine, click on “Network adapters,” and a new screen appears.
To add another virtual network adapter for the Private network, click on “Add Network Adapter,” and the screen refreshes, allowing us to add the needed information.
Now, we need to add the information for the “Virtual network adapter 2.” In this case, the only change we will make is to select “Private” for the “Connected to” option. Leave all other options at their default value. Click on OK to save this virtual network adapter.
At this point, you have now completed all the Virtual Server 2005 configuration steps. Now you need to install Windows 2003 Server into the virtual machine you just created and configured.
As you install Windows 2003 Server as node 1 of your virtual cluster, you will want to keep the following in mind, as they relate to how we just configured the virtual machine.
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Install the OS onto your drive “C” for node2.
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Install the appropriate service pack.
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Install the Virtual Server Virtual Machine Additions, as described in the Virtual Server 2005 Administrators Guide, after you have installed Windows 2003 Server.
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Use your Public network as the network for the initial install. Use an appropriate IP naming scheme.
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Once the OS is installed, configure the Private Network and the shared disk just as you would when installing a cluster on physical equipment.
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Install this server as a member server.
Once you have completed node2 and tested it, you are now ready to cluster the two virtual nodes.
Configure the Two-Node Cluster
As this point, you now have two virtual nodes, node1 and node2 running under Virtual Server 2005. When you think about these, keep in mind that they act just like real physical servers. And now that you are ready to cluster them, you cluster them as if they were real physical nodes. As I have mentioned before, we assume you already know how to cluster two Windows 2003 Server nodes, and you need to do so now. Once you have the two nodes clustered, you will be ready to install a SQL Server 2000/2005 clustering.
Install SQL Server 2000/2005 as a Cluster
Once the two virtual nodes are clustered, you can install your SQL Server cluster, just as you would if the cluster were real, and not virtual. The installation is the same for both physical and virtual clusters.
Have Fun With Your Virtual Cluster
At this point, and after a lot of time invested, you will have a SQL Server cluster running under Virtual Server 2005. Now is the time to experiment and learn how to use it. Because with a production SQL Server cluster, you just don’t have this luxury
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