Add Third replacement node to SQL cluster without using SQL Enterprise License

  • We want to replace a current node in the SQL cluster but want to keep the node being replaced in the cluster. Currently there are 2 nodes in Cluster that work with SQL Standard. We do not want to install Enterprise only to use it temporarily and then have to switch back to SQL Standard in the near future once it is live on the cluster.

    Isn't there a way to add a SQL node to the Cluster without needing a SQL license update?

    If not, is there a way to quickly remove/re-add a node from the cluster. That would help to add this replacement and test and if there was an issue, re-add the old node. I found this link, https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms191545(v=sql.105).aspx, but it involves removing software. Ideally I would like to keep the node available to use quickly if the new node did not work properly, ran out of time in maintenance window, etc.

    Thanks

  • You can evict the old node and then add the new node to the cluster. Would it work for you?

    -- Gianluca Sartori

  • If you evict the node, how do you re-add that node to the cluster?

  • do not evict the node, this is not the correct action.

    The restriction on how many nodes may host a clustered instance of SQL Server in Standard edition is within the SQL Server setup itself not the Windows Server Failover Cluster.

    It is perfectly valid to have 3 nodes in the WSFC and only install a standard edition instance to 2 of these nodes.

    • Join the new node to the cluster this will make a 3 node cluster
    • run the remove node wizard on the server being replaced, the instance will be installed on the one remaining original node
    • Run the add node wizard on the new cluster node, this will make the instance available on 2 nodes again

    Does this make sense?

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    "Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉

  • Perry Whittle (2/24/2015)


    do not evict the node, this is not the correct action.

    Why wouldn't it work? I'm pretty sure I have done this in the past.

    I'm not trolling you, Perry, I really want to know if there's something I'm overlooking.

    The restriction on how many nodes may host a clustered instance of SQL Server in Standard edition is within the SQL Server setup itself not the Windows Server Failover Cluster.

    It is perfectly valid to have 3 nodes in the WSFC and only install a standard edition instance to 2 of these nodes.

    • Join the new node to the cluster this will make a 3 node cluster
    • run the remove node wizard on the server being replaced, the instance will be installed on the one remaining original node
    • Run the add node wizard on the new cluster node, this will make the instance available on 2 nodes again

    Does this make sense?

    Great points as usual. You're the go-to person for this stuff.

    -- Gianluca Sartori

  • spaghettidba (2/24/2015)


    Perry Whittle (2/24/2015)


    do not evict the node, this is not the correct action.

    Why wouldn't it work? I'm pretty sure I have done this in the past.

    I'm not trolling you, Perry, I really want to know if there's something I'm overlooking.

    I didn't say it wouldn't work 😉

    Eviction is generally the last ditch at removing a node.

    spaghettidba (2/24/2015)


    Perry Whittle (2/24/2015)The restriction on how many nodes may host a clustered instance of SQL Server in Standard edition is within the SQL Server setup itself not the Windows Server Failover Cluster.

    It is perfectly valid to have 3 nodes in the WSFC and only install a standard edition instance to 2 of these nodes.

    • Join the new node to the cluster this will make a 3 node cluster
    • run the remove node wizard on the server being replaced, the instance will be installed on the one remaining original node
    • Run the add node wizard on the new cluster node, this will make the instance available on 2 nodes again

    Does this make sense?

    Great points as usual. You're the go-to person for this stuff.

    Thank you :blush:

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    "Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉

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