MSDTC in active/active sql config?

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MSDTC in active/active sql config?

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dieterbaylor SSC Enthusiast Points: 102 More actions · Answer 1

My reason for not placing the dtc resource in the cluster (quorum) group in an active / passive config would be for sheer performance reasons. Since the cluster (quorum) group is constantly monitoring the cluster, placing the dtc resource there would slow down the processing of distributed transactions. I could be wrong. Any thoughts? Thanks

K. Brian Kelley SSC Guru Points: 114562 More actions · Answer 2

Typically though, MS recommends running the cluster group on the first node the cluster was installed on. This isn't a "best practice" per se, just a recommendation. I asked this question when we had to have Microsoft Rapid Support on-site due to a significant issue with a line-of-business system we had. Also typically, the SQL Server instance is running on the first node as well. If this is your basic setup, then MS DTC should get the same access to resources regardless of what group it's assigned to.

K. Brian Kelley

http://www.truthsolutions.com/

Author: Start to Finish Guide to SQL Server Performance Monitoring

http://www.netimpress.com/shop/product.asp?ProductID=NI-SQL1

K. Brian Kelley
@kbriankelley

click-fund Ten Centuries Points: 1028 More actions · Answer 3

That seems like a valid point, I'll grant you. But what exactly is the passive node doing and how does that load compare to running the active database server?

On my cluster the passive node runs the quorum, and is pretty idle much of the time, and the active node is not. Since the DTC is either going to slow down one of the passive nodes or the active node, I'd rather it not slow down the active node.

Maybe DTC can itself intrinsically run faster on the active node (for example, maybe it can communicate with the sql server using shared memory rather than via the network transports)? I don't know the answer to that question. However, even if it is yes, it seems to be an argument for putting DTC on the same node, but not for putting it in the same group.

gopik SSC Rookie Points: 27 More actions · Answer 4

Hi,

First of all, Please accept my sincere thanks for great knowledge sharing and a very knowledgeable MSSQL community!

My thanks to Brian kelley and Brian Knight for the clustering topics.

If any of you can kindly help me in "what is required to setup MSSQL cluster both for active/active and active/passive combination that will be so nice of You and great". I am setting up a test environment for myself (regarding mssql clustering)in view of an assignment and I am looking for

a)step by step procedures for "Un-lustering" after setting up clustering

b) Steps for moving existing MSSQL7 to MSSQL 2000.

I know I am asking for too much, but can any of you be kind enough to give me complete details please.

Thanks in advance. You can also mail me at gopi.keshavan@wipro.com or gopik19@yahoo.com

I appreciate your kindness and the knowledge sharing urge.

In praise of this community,

Gopi

quote:
MS DTC will need to be configured for cluster support before you install the first SQL Server instance. Therefore it'll be located in the Cluster Group (quorum). After you have the cluster built, run comclust from the command line.
For more info, see Brian Knight's step-by-step article:
http://www.sqlservercentral.com/columnists/bknight/stepbystepclustering.asp
Configuring MS DTC is on page 3.
K. Brian Kelley
http://www.truthsolutions.com/
Author: Start to Finish Guide to SQL Server Performance Monitoring
http://www.netimpress.com/shop/product.asp?ProductID=NI-SQL1

kg

gopik SSC Rookie Points: 27 More actions · Answer 5

Hi,

I am trying to setup a MSCS cluster and got most of the related material and advices except for the hardware. At the moment I have 2 P4 unbranded ( assembled )servers with 512 Mb RAM, 2 SCSI h/d of 9Gb, 2 IDE of 40 Gb and licensed s/w of Advanced server 2000.

But can any of you kindly suggest me on "Shared hard disk or External hard disk" which I could not understand. Does this has a market name or not generic? Do I have to go with big names like HP, Compaq or so?

I just want to see what is clustering both MSCS and MSSQL and want to venture this but struck with very poor information. Hope I get a "KIND GURU" who will suggest me the hardware part on the above.

Thanks in advance.

Regards

Gopi

kg

K. Brian Kelley SSC Guru Points: 114562 More actions · Answer 6

You'll need to find some storage solution that both systems can connect to. They are called anything from RAID towers to shared storage arrays to external storage arrays, what have you. Here are some examples. These are what you'd buy for work, but they should give you an idea of what you are looking for.

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/msa1000/index.html

http://www.dell.com/us/en/esg/topics/segtopic_storage_scsi_main.htm

K. Brian Kelley

http://www.truthsolutions.com/

Author: Start to Finish Guide to SQL Server Performance Monitoring

http://www.netimpress.com/shop/product.asp?ProductID=NI-SQL1

K. Brian Kelley
@kbriankelley

gopik SSC Rookie Points: 27 More actions · Answer 7

Thank You Brian. I appreciate your help. Both the sites are very informative.

You have a nice day.

Thanks again

kg

Bogdan1 SSC Rookie Points: 33 More actions · Answer 8

We installed our 2000 Active/Active basically according to "Step_by_step.." by Brian. Everything working fine.

However recently we came across Q243204 in which Ms recommends to have MSDTC resource in a group other than the Cluster Group. (We have it in the Cluster Group). So, where it should be? I agree that not in any of virtual SQL Servers group. Any opinion?