SQL Clusters in Virtualized Environments April 10 th, 2013

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Erika Curtis
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1 SQL Clusters in Virtualized Environments April 10 th, 2013

2 Session Overview This session s primary objective is to help you gain insight into where clustering fits in the overall picture of HA/DR as it relates to MS SQL Server, what it needs to work properly, as well as what considerations should go into virtualizing MS SQL server clusters. This primarily concentrates around technologies contained in the Microsoft s latest version of their hypervisor, Hyper-V R3. I will be posting up instructions on how to set up a lab for testing SQL virtualization and clustering using Hyper-V

3 Session Review SQL High Availability options What are clusters? Clustering SQL Server Types of SQL clusters Resources needed Multi-Instance Cluster Considerations Virtualizing SQL Clusters Benefits Pitfalls Cluster Configuration Backup Considerations Sources Used Questions Contact Information

Multi-Instance Cluster Considerations Virtualizing SQL Clusters Benefits

4 SQL High Availability Options

5 What are clusters? A cluster is a group of independent systems working together as a one to provide a highly available service or application. If a member of the group fails, the others take over the load. Types of Clusters Majority Node Cluster Each Node has it s own local storage that it uses to store and access the data Data is stored across multiple disks, synchronization ensured by the cluster service Single Quorum Cluster Requires shared storage Used for storage-centric applications, such as SQL, Exchange

If a member of the group fails, the others take over the load.

6 Clustering SQL Servers Types of SQL Clusters Active-Passive Single Instance cluster Single instance, running on one node. In case of failure, fails over to another node Active-Active Multi-Instance Cluster Multiple Instances running on multiple nodes In case of failure, fails over to another node NOT A LOAD BALANCING SOLUTION!!!

In case of failure, fails over to another node Active-Active Multi-Instance

7 Clustering SQL Servers Three-node, three-instance cluster

8 Clustering SQL Server Resource Needed Networking 3 networks Data iscsi Storage Cluster traffic (heartbeat) Create separate LUNs for SQL Use appropriate RAID levels for your configuration If using virtual storage, conduct I/O tests to ensure proper data transfer rates

SQL Use appropriate RAID levels for your configuration If using

Clustering SQL Servers Resource provisioning Multi-Instance Clusters Memory Ensure that sufficient resources are in place to tolerate failure of at least 1 node Ports Each Server must have sufficient

9 Clustering SQL Servers Resource provisioning Multi-Instance Clusters Memory Ensure that sufficient resources are in place to tolerate failure of at least 1 node Ports Each Server must have sufficient resources to run all clustered instances Configure maximum memory usage at the instance level to ensure performance after failover Change the port on the second instance to ensure both can coexist on the same server

resources to run all clustered instances Configure maximum memory usage at the instance level to ensure

10 Virtualizing SQL Clusters Benefits Business Continuity through vmotion/live Migration Easier addition of resources Can eliminate storage as a single point of failure Eliminates expressed need for a SAN

addition of resources Can eliminate storage as a

11 Virtualizing SQL Clusters Pitfalls Designed for consolidation, not performance 10% performance hit Memory Overcommit/Dynamic Memory Virtual Disks

12 Virtualizing SQL Clusters I/O Performance Virtual Disk vs. Pass-Through Disk Virtual Disk Pass-Through Disk IO/S Latency (MS) IO/S Latency (ms) Min Max Average Min Max Average Random Reads Random Writes Sequential Reads Sequential Writes

Min Max Average Random Reads 1545.04 124 6322 2623 11511.74 25 1167 354 Random Writes 1173.

13 Virtualizing SQL Clusters Cluster Configuration Requires 3 virtual networks Data Storage Cluster Heartbeat Cluster VM s preferred host servers should be set to separate hosts Avoid contention Avoid using thin provisioning/dynamic disks to avoid first write penalty Using memory overcommit/dynamic memory IS NOT RECOMMENDED If using memory overcommit/dynamic memory, set the minimum amount of memory to the minimum needed for the SQL server, and increase the load preference be the highest of all servers Test storage to ensure proper response SQLIO - IOMETER -

using memory overcommit/dynamic memory, set the minimum amount of memory to the minimum needed for the SQL server, and increase the load preference be the highest of

14 Virtualizing SQLClusters Backup Considerations VM Backup software issue Cannot read cluster volumes on the guests This means that backup software designed to backup the guests will not backup the SQL data Backup Exec Hyper-V agents VEEAM Use SQL to backup the database and logs to flat files Back up to a Network Share Ensure that normal SQL backup best practices are followed TEST YOUR BACKUPS!!! User your regular Hyper-V VSS aware backup software This will transfer your backup files to your favorite backup storage media TEST YOUR BACKUPS!!!

logs to flat files Back up to a Network Share Ensure that normal SQL backup best practices are followed TEST YOUR BACKUPS!

15 Sources used/further reading Installing a SQL Server 2008 R2 Failover Cluster TechNet Microsoft s official guide on installing a SQL server cluster excellent resource for day to day SQL server questions If you are considering SQL high availability solution, check out this site first. creating-an-active-active-sql-cluster-using-hyper-v-part3- the-active-active-configuration.aspx-a walkthrough on configuring a multi-instance cluster in Hyper-V R3

com If you are considering SQL high availability solution, check out this site first. http://blogs.msdn.

16 QUESTIONS???

Contact Information If you have more questions, I can be reached at: Email

17 Contact Information If you have more questions, I can be reached at: irubinshteyn@ceservices.com Phone Linked In - Thank you!

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