How to create SQL Server 2005 Clustering (Part 4)
In previous parts(Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3), we have completed windows clustering. Now, before installing SQL Cluster we have to configure MSDTC. We also need to make some shared drive which we would use to keep SQL Server databases and MSDTC. We are going to use Disk M for MSDTC and Disk X for SQL Server. We have already done the steps for Disk Q in part 2 (Create Quorum Disk section). I will reproduce the steps for Disk M and X here.

Configure Shared Disks

1. Turn off MyNode1 and MyNode2

2.  Choose Virtual Disks > Create > Fixed Size Virtual Hard Disks

3. Provide Details for M Drive (250 MB) and hit "Create" button

4. Same way we would create X drive (2 GB) and Hit "Create" button.

5. Below is what you would see in Windows Explorer

6. Lets attach the disks to MyNode1 and MyNode2 (They are off at this moment) I am showing for MyNode1. Please follow same for MyNode2 also.

 

Click on Hard Disks

Hit OK and it would attach the disks to MyNode1. Follow the same for MyNode2

7. Turn on ONLY MyNode1.

8. Login to MyNode1 and Start > Run > DiskMgmt.msc. Cancel on the screen if you get any.

9. You should see two new Disks which are Not Initialized. Right Click and choose Initialize Disk.  Then you create partition by Right Click New Partition. Below is final screen shot which you should see.

10. Now Turn Off MyNode1 and Turn On MyNode2

11. Go to DiskMgmt.msc on MyNode2 and assign drive letters (M for 250 MB drive and X for 2 GB Drive)

12. Open Cluster Administrator (Start > Run > CluAdmin)

13. Create New Group called MSDTC (File > New > Group) and provide details

14. Choose Both Nodes as preferred owner. You might get an error at last screen but that's OK because MyNode1 is offline.

15. Create a new "Disk" resource under MSDTC Group (File > New > Resource) Choose details as below screen shot.

17. Choose M Drive in "Disk Parameters" screen. and finish.

18.  Now you should see a Disk resource under MSDTC Group. Right click and choose "Bring Online"

19. Follow 13 to 18 again to Create new groups called "SQL Group" and add "Disk X"

20. Up to here we have completed shared disk configuration for MyNode1 and MyNode2. Let's start MyNode1 and test fail over for new groups.

21. Before we install SQL Server, we have to configure MSDTC

Configure MSDTC as Resource

1. On MyNode1 and MyNode2 follow below steps
   • Open Control Panel on the cluster node
   • Double-click Add/Remove Programs
   • On the left side of the screen, double click Add/Remove Windows Components
   • Under Components, highlight Application Server and click Details
   • Select Enable network DTC access, and then click OK
   • Click Next
   • Click Finish
2. Add "MSDTC IP Address resource" in MSDTC Group
   • Right click MSDTC Group and select New > Resource
   • Type a some name such as MSDTC IP Address
   • In Resource Type, choose IP Address
   • Click Next
   • Click Next on Possible Owners screen
   • Click Next on Dependencies Screen
   • Give IP Address as 192.1.1.5
   • Click Finish
   • Right click the MSDTC IP Address resource and select Bring Online.
3. Add "MSDTC Network Name" resource in MSDTC Group
   • Right click MSDTC Group and select New > Resource
   • Type a some name such as MSDTC NN
   • In Resource Type, choose Network Name
   • Click Next
   • Click Next on Possible Owners screen
   • On Dependencies Screen, move MSDTC IP Address and click on Add to bring on Right window. Now hit Next.
   • Give Name as MSDTC
   • Click Finish
   • Right click the MSDTC NN resource and select Bring Online.
4. Add "MSDTC" resource in MSDTC Group
   • Right click MSDTC Group and select New > Resource
   • Type a some name such as MSDTC
   • In Resource Type, choose Distributed Transaction Coordinator
   • Click Next
   • Click Next on Possible Owners screen
   • On Dependencies Screen, choose "MSDTC NN" and "M Drive" and click on Add to bring on Right window.

                        

• Click Finish
• Right click the MSDTC resource and select Bring Online.

Above is the screen shot of "MSDTC group". Make sure you have matching "Resource Type" as shown in the screen.

Test fail over for MSDTC group. This finishes all Prerequisites to install SQL Server on Cluster. Get ready to install SQL Server in last part of the series.

You can follow http://support.microsoft.com/kb/899191 to make changes to MSDTC Services.

Lets move on to last part of the series