Dynamics GP on a Cluster Environment
This is something we get to hear frequently in various forums whether Dynamics GP supports a cluster environment. The answer is Yes. This is what the KB926490 suggests. Few tips to install Dynamics GP in Clustered environment based on my earlier experience of doing the same for an implementation.
- We can run Dynamics GP in a single-instance clustering environment and in multiple instance clustering provided there is one to one relationship in a SQL Server instance
- We can install Dynamics GP in an Active-passive cluster mode.
- Assume, we have two servers A and B. On Server A(Active node), Dynamics GP and SQL Server databases reside. Server B acts as passive node.
- SQL Server databases need to be kept in a common drive for both servers A and B
- On the Server B, there is no need to install Dynamics GP.
- While installing Dynamics GP 10 Server on Server A, the installation detects the common drive for both servers and automatically maps the system and company databases to the same drive
- Once can refer to this link that presents a step-by-step guide to install SQL Server on cluster mode. Remember this is necessary prior to Dynamics GP installation.
- Installing SQL Servers on Clustered environment means, it will guide you to install the actual SQL Server on Server A (in this example) while Server B will be installed with a virtual SQL Server.
Once the installation is done in the above manner, we can test the configuration by forcing a failover on Server A. There are certain questions as to whether we can do the failover cluster over terminal Services. The answer to me is No when I refer to this KB294926.
Besides supporting Clustering environment, Dynamics GP also supports Replication, Log Shipping and Database Mirroring as per the KB926490.