do I need a domain in order to run a cluster?

Hi, I am a complete newbie with windows clustering -
still reading the white papers etc. From what I have read
it seems that I need a Windows Domain in order to run
clustering. Is this true? Is there any way I can cluster
SQL server without having to setup a domain?
thanks
christos
Yes. You must have a domain to run a cluster. No, you can't get around
having a domain.
Geoff N. Hiten
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Senior Database Administrator
Careerbuilder.com
I support the Professional Association for SQL Server
www.sqlpass.org
"Christos Kritikos" <anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:030001c49b56$400d9060$a301280a@.phx.gbl...
> Hi, I am a complete newbie with windows clustering -
> still reading the white papers etc. From what I have read
> it seems that I need a Windows Domain in order to run
> clustering. Is this true? Is there any way I can cluster
> SQL server without having to setup a domain?
> thanks
> christos
>
|||Hi Geoff,
I too have the same doubt. What are some Technical
reasons forcing cluster to run in a domain?
Thanks
Chip.
>--Original Message--
>Yes. You must have a domain to run a cluster. No, you
can't get around
>having a domain.
>--
>Geoff N. Hiten
>Microsoft SQL Server MVP
>Senior Database Administrator
>Careerbuilder.com
>I support the Professional Association for SQL Server
>www.sqlpass.org
>"Christos Kritikos"
<anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message[vbcol=seagreen]
>news:030001c49b56$400d9060$a301280a@.phx.gbl...
read[vbcol=seagreen]
cluster
>
>.
>
|||You have to have a common security context for the cluster service to manage
resources on multiple machines. Parallel usernames and paswords will not
work. You have to have a domain (NT4 or AD) to provide cluster-wide access
to resources.
Geoff N. Hiten
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Senior Database Administrator
Careerbuilder.com
I support the Professional Association for SQL Server
www.sqlpass.org
"Chip" <anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:150e01c49c9d$f0cd9560$a301280a@.phx.gbl...[vbcol=seagreen]
> Hi Geoff,
> I too have the same doubt. What are some Technical
> reasons forcing cluster to run in a domain?
> Thanks
> Chip.
> can't get around
> <anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> read
> cluster
|||There is some good information in
281662 Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003 Cluster Nodes As Domain Controllers
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=281662
Here is a section from the same.
To have Windows Clustering function properly (where the Cluster service starts on each node) the node that forms the cluster must be able to validate the Cluster service domain account, which is the account that you
configure during the Windows Clustering installation. To accomplish this, each node must be able to establish a secure channel with a domain controller to validate this account. If the node cannot validate the
account, the Cluster service does not start. This is also true for other clustered programs that must have account validation for services to start, such as Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Exchange.
If you have a cluster deployment in which there is no link with either a Windows NT 4.0 domain, a Windows 2000 domain, or a Windows Server 2003 domain, you must configure the cluster nodes as domain
controllers so that the Cluster service account can always be validated to allow for proper cluster functionality.
If the connectivity between cluster nodes and domain controllers is such that the link is either slow or unreliable, consider having a domain controller co-located with the cluster, or configuring the cluster nodes as
domain controllers.
Consider the following important points when you are deploying Windows Clustering nodes as domain controllers:
--> See the above KB (http://support.microsoft.com/?id=281662)
Best Regards,
Uttam Parui
Microsoft Corporation
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Are you secure? For information about the Strategic Technology Protection Program and to order your FREE Security Tool Kit, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/security.
Microsoft highly recommends that users with Internet access update their Microsoft software to better protect against viruses and security vulnerabilities. The easiest way to do this is to visit the following websites:
http://www.microsoft.com/protect
http://www.microsoft.com/security/guidance/default.mspx
|||Thanks Geoff & Uttam.
Chip
>--Original Message--
>There is some good information in
>281662 Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003 Cluster Nodes
As Domain Controllers
>http://support.microsoft.com/?id=281662
>Here is a section from the same.
>To have Windows Clustering function properly (where the
Cluster service starts on each node) the node that forms
the cluster must be able to validate the Cluster service
domain account, which is the account that you
>configure during the Windows Clustering installation. To
accomplish this, each node must be able to establish a
secure channel with a domain controller to validate this
account. If the node cannot validate the
>account, the Cluster service does not start. This is also
true for other clustered programs that must have account
validation for services to start, such as Microsoft SQL
Server and Microsoft Exchange.
>If you have a cluster deployment in which there is no
link with either a Windows NT 4.0 domain, a Windows 2000
domain, or a Windows Server 2003 domain, you must
configure the cluster nodes as domain
>controllers so that the Cluster service account can
always be validated to allow for proper cluster
functionality.
>If the connectivity between cluster nodes and domain
controllers is such that the link is either slow or
unreliable, consider having a domain controller co-located
with the cluster, or configuring the cluster nodes as
>domain controllers.
>Consider the following important points when you are
deploying Windows Clustering nodes as domain controllers:
> --> See the above KB
(http://support.microsoft.com/?id=281662)
>Best Regards,
>Uttam Parui
>Microsoft Corporation
>This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
confers no rights.
>Are you secure? For information about the Strategic
Technology Protection Program and to order your FREE
Security Tool Kit, please visit
http://www.microsoft.com/security.
>Microsoft highly recommends that users with Internet
access update their Microsoft software to better protect
against viruses and security vulnerabilities. The easiest
way to do this is to visit the following websites:
>http://www.microsoft.com/protect
>http://www.microsoft.com/security/guidance/default.mspx
>
>.
>