replace interface network card in SQL2008 & 2005 cluster servers

Question

I've both SQL 2005 and 2008 cluster servers (with single network card) and will replace with new network card, but keep using same IP configuration. I would like to know the proper procedures. And, after replacing network card, how can I test if the servers still connect to AD domain properly  i.e. without disjoin from domain? Please help. Thanks.

Answer 1

@Problem Man

Replace Network card with a new one will not affect the original setting for SQL Cluster. And if you could use windows authentication successfully on those SQL Servers, you could see the servers still connect to AD domain properly. <o:p></o:p>

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Best Regards,
Peja

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Answer 2

You should replace the cards one node at a time, moving all resources over to one node, then replace the card on the passive node. Once it's configured and you can confirm that you can ping out to the other node and other machines on the network over that NIC. It's a good idea before replacing the card to record all of the settings on the NIC so you can configure the new one exactly the same. 

If everything looks good on the repaired node, go into cluster administrator (or Server Administrator -> Features -> Failover Cluster Manager on 2008) and verify the node is online in the cluster and there are no unusual errors since you replaced the NIC. Test failover and check all your applications after failover to make sure the apps can all talk to their databases with no login failures, etc. If everything checks out, replace the NIC on the other node. 

This is standard operating procedure for doing any maintenance on a cluster node. The key thing with NIC configurations though is that there are a lot of settings that do impact cluster communication and you want to make sure that you capture all of the settings before removing the NIC from the node. The risk is relatively low as long as you work one node at a time and of course don't mix up your cables when you plug them back in. 

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