Differences in clustered system db's vs standalone system db's?

Hello,
We have a standalone Enterprise edition sql 2000 server that we want to
migrate to a cluster and make it a virtual sql server, for high availability
reasons.

We do not want to change the name of the SQL Server, as hundreds of
databases are on this server, and hundreds of applications refer to this SQL
Server name. Because of these requirements, we cannot use the steps in BOL
to upgrade our standalone to a cluster (that includes changing the sql server
name)

We are moving to two new servers (the current server will be retired)

Does anyone know the following two questions....
Is it possible to take the system databases from a standalone version of SQL
Server, and restore them to a clustered SQL Server?

Are there differences in the system databases on a stand alone SQL Server
vs. a clustered virtual SQL Server?

Here is a high level idea of what we would like to do:
- Stop SQL on the standalone server
- Rename the standalone server
- Install sql on the cluster, and give the virtual sql server the orignal
name of my standalone server
- shutdown sql on the cluster
- copy the data and log files for all system and user databases to the
cluster from the standalone server
- start up sql on the cluster

Thanks for your help and time!
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Connecting to cluster instance from .NET
    ... Virtual IP addresses for the cluster resource groups. ... SQL Server will listen on only those IP addresses ... IP addresses for each of the following cluster resource groups: ...
    (microsoft.public.sqlserver.clustering)
  • Re: Differences in clustered system dbs vs standalone system dbs
    ... rely on the SQL Server name, not the cluster or server name. ... >> - Stop SQL on the standalone server ...
    (microsoft.public.sqlserver.clustering)
  • Re: Request for information
    ... The under dog is DISK IOPS!! ... So It is not only the hardware and software a cluster design / infrastructure design is more the a pile of boxes but use x64 where you can! ... How to cluster Microsoft SQL Server 2005 by using Microsoft Virtual Server ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.clustering)
  • Re: Request for information
    ... Two node Cluster for your mail and SQL. ... The under dog is DISK IOPS!! ... How to cluster Microsoft SQL Server 2005 by using ... Microsoft Virtual Server ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.clustering)
  • Re: upgrading sql2k cluster to sql2005
    ... It ain't that simple for SQL Server. ... that databases get locked off in the current cluster and then properly ...
    (microsoft.public.sqlserver.clustering)
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