I can't agree more with all of the above, good article. I posted a reply to an how do I move to a cluster once, let me find it....
Here is the answer I gave. It is relevant whether you are moving to newer, faster tin or a cluster.
Moving Production Databases from a stand alone server to a cluster is not much different in moving dbs to a new stand alone server. (because you are upgrading the tin for instance). I've got a check list some where, let me dig it out...
found it. This covers most (I can't guarantee all) things to think about.
Task_Name
Cluster Config
Check current Active-Active config ok
Convert to Active-Passive
Test Active-Passive Fail-over
Cluster Available
Install Oracle Driver for Linked Server (If required)
Install JDBC Exteneded Stored Procs (If required)
anything else specific to your site?
Create mail profile
Install Outlook
Configure SQL mail
Successful SQL Mail Test
Cluster Config Complete
Migration Prep
Identify all Dependent DBs to migrate
Check for Original Server references in views, SPs etc.
Create script to update relevant objects found above, (if any)
DTS Packages
Identify all packages to migrate
Manually "Save As" packages to NEW server
Update any affected pointers
Scheduled Jobs
Identify all Jobs to be migrated
Copy jobs to New Server
DO NOT COPY JOBS THAT RUN DTS PACKAGES. Reshedule packages instead
Update any affected pointers
Linked Servers
Copy linked servers
Test linked server
Security & Errs
Copy Server Level logins
Copy DB Logins
Test accounts
Copy User defined err messages (I always forget this)
New Backup Structure
Create new backup structure on your backup server
Terminal Servers
Identify all reg settings pointing to old server (If your app stores settings in the registary)
Create reg update pointing to new server
New Server DBs Preperation
Copy Migrating DBs to New Server (For test purposes)
Maintanence Plans
Recreate System DBs backup plan
Recreate Sys DB optimisation plan
Recreate User DB backup plans
Recreate User DB Integrity & optimisation plans
Test plans via Scheduled Job
Copy Old Server alerts - Check for Old Server references
Migration
Terminal Servers
Apply reg update to all TS's
Update ODBC setting from OLD Server to to New
Run your app from ***EVERY*** TS
Disbale old server Migrated Scheduled Jobs
Isolate Migrating DBs
- place in Read-Only mode
Backup migrating DBs
Restore Migrating DBs to New Server
Check in FULL recovery mode
Run any UPDATE scripts
Enable New Server Scheduled Jobs
Update any DTS connections
Post Migration Checks
Terminal Servers
Run your app .exe from EVERY TS
Isolate dbs on old server, or better, turn it off.
Sunday Morning
Check maintenance task completed successfully
Check Scheduled Jobs completed successfully
Check backups copied to SQLBackups share
MIGRATION COMPLETE - CLUSTER GO LIVE
I'm sure this is not complete, but hopefully it is a good starter for 10 🙂
Any one else want to add to it?
HTH
Dave J