How to Install Multiple SQL Named Instances on Cluster Node From the Command Prompt

A SQL cluster contains several database servers that work together to provide data results for your applications. You can add several SQL instances to your cluster using the Windows command line. You must enter the instance information one-by-one, and the cluster adds the instance to its list of databases from which you can query. You must also have the installation DVD that came with your SQL Server software.

Things You'll Need

• SQL Server installation DVD

Instructions

1. Click the Windows "Start" button and type "cmd" in the search text box. Press "Enter" to open the command line.

2. Insert the DVD into the server's drive. The splash screen opens automatically. Close the splash screen to return to the prompt.

3. Type "d:" where "d" is the drive letter for your installation DVD. This command moves the prompt to your installation DVD, so you can install the instance.

4. Type the following command to install the first instance:

   Start /wait setup.exe /qn VS=<VSName> INSTALLVS=SQL_Engine INSTANCENAME=<InstanceName> ADDLOCAL=SQL_Engine PIDKEY=<pidkey value with no "-"> ADDNODE=<NodeName> GROUP=<Diskgroup> IP=<IP> ADMINPASSWORD=<StrongPassword> SAPWD=<StrongPassord> INSTALLSQLDIR=<InstallationPath> INSTALLSQLDATADIR=<ShareDrivePath> SQLACCOUNT=<domain\user> SQLPASSWORD=<DomainUserPassword> SQLCLUSTERGROUP="MyDomain\MySQLDomainGroup", SQMREPORTING=1 SQLCOLLATION=SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS

   Each entry within "< >" characters are your own configuration settings. Replace each of these settings with the name of the instance and the SQL Server cluster information. For example, replace "<instancename>" with the name of the instance you want to install.

5. Repeat Step 4 until each of the instances are installed on the cluster.

References

• Microsoft MSDN: How to: Install SQL Server 2005 From the Command Prompt