One of my blog readers sent an email where he wanted my quick opinion about SQL Server cluster.
Hi,
We are having SQL Server 2014 clustered instance running on top of Windows Server 2012. As a part of the acquisition, we need to move the domain servers. I could see a wiki content available https://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/24960.migrating-sql-server-to-new-domain.aspx
Will you be able to give quick guidance before we hire you?
Thanks,
<Name Removed>
To put in simple words, they wanted to move SQL Cluster from SQLAuthority.com to PinalDave.com
SOLUTION / WORKAROUND
I looked into the wiki article, but found nothing about cluster. While searching for cluster, I interestingly found a knowledge base article from Microsoft.
Because of an increased dependence on Active Directory Domain Services, Microsoft does not support moving an already installed and configured Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2012 failover cluster from one domain to another. The following steps are not for Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2012 you must create a new cluster. Additionally, you must re-cluster highly available applications.
So, my client need to recreate a new windows cluster in the new domain and then use traditional ways to backup/restore to move to database new servers. He need to script out all the system objects from old server and recreate on the new server.
Later, I was hired for a short-term project of SQL Server Performance tuning by the team.
Reference: Pinal Dave (https://blog.sqlauthority.com)
2 Comments. Leave new
At my earlier client.. We moved multiple sql clusters from one domain to another domain [due to merger/acquisition] without installing a new Cluster in 2nd domain and doing traditional backup/restore. We knew it is not recommended/supported by microsoft, so we first tested it in a less critical cluster environment and documented all the lessons learnt, then accordingly decided our approach/action plan for other more critical clusters. Best part, we could successfully do it. :)
As long as you are aware of the risks involved and don’t want any support from Microsoft then its perfectly fine. Doing homework is very important, which you have already done. If you wish, please share what you have learned. This would help other readers.