Re: 2 node MSCS cluster - replace server hardware and move from W2K to W2K3



For this to work, I think I'm relying on the following assumptions,
which I'm hoping someone can help me out on: ;-)
i) that I can join a W2K3 node to a W2K cluster

yes

ii) that I can install SQL server in the way described in step d) (or
would I need to wait until nodes C and D are online)

yes, but I leave one of the SQL MVPs to really comment on this

iii) that when I boot node C for the first time with cables attached,
that I can have node A online

yes, but do not mount the disks, and join the cluster after you booted node
C

iv) that I would first expect to see any SAN disks on node C only
when
I've moved the relevant cluster resources to that node


seeing where... you would see the disk in disk management after booting, but
you will not see drive letters mounted or in explorer.
When you joined the cluster and move the resources to the C node, only then
you will have mounted drive letters and you can access them


Or indeed is there a better way of doing it?

looks good to me, only your procedure did not include SAN changes (zoning to
the new HBA's of node C and D, ensureing the new HBA's can login to the
storage, also you might want to check on specifics for installing
Securepath.)

One completely
different
approach I've come up with (especially given that I have enough spare
ports on my fibre switch) may be to just configure a new cluster, but
I don't think I have the confidence on the storage side to know how
to
change the disk ownership from the old cluster to the new cluster.

That is indeed an alternative way, but you definitely want assistance from
someone who knows the storage.
Which by the way you need to do your zoning and other SAN tasks in you first
plan as well.
Attaching a host to a SAN is not as simple as shutting down the old host and
plugging the cables into the new host.

Rgds,
Edwin.


.

Relevant Pages

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