Steps for Setting up Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 with Failover Clustering for the Head Node

Applies To: Windows HPC Server 2008 R2

For a list of important requirements for setting up Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 in a failover cluster, see Requirements for Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 in Failover Clusters.

To set up Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 with failover clustering for the head node, you need to set up SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1 (SP1) to support the head node, create a failover cluster, and install the head node services in the failover cluster. The following topics provide details about this process.

Note

This document describes how to set up a remote installation of SQL Server to support the head node in a failover cluster. You can use a local installation of SQL Server instead, that is, where your two-node failover cluster runs both SQL Server 2008 SP1 and Windows HPC Server 2008 R2. To create this configuration, follow the sequence of steps shown in the list below, but when you come to "Step 5" (for setting up remote SQL Server for the HPC cluster), install SQL Server on the same servers that you will use for the head node failover cluster. Then, when you reach "Step 6" (for installing and configuring HPC Pack 2008 R2), do not specify a remote SQL Server instance, but instead specify your local SQL Server instance.

Step 1: Install Windows Server 2008 R2 on Multiple Servers

Step 2: Set Up Shared Storage for Servers for the Head Node

Step 3: Set Up Failover Clustering and File Services for Servers that Will Run the Head Node

Step 4: Configure a Clustered File Server for the Head Node in Windows HPC Server 2008 R2

Step 5: Set Up Remote SQL Server 2008 SP1 for the HPC Cluster

Step 6: Install HPC Pack 2008 R2 on a Server that Will Run Head Node Services

Step 7: Configure the Head Node on the First Server

Step 8: Install and Configure HPC Pack 2008 R2 on the Other Server that Will Run Head Node Services

Step 9: Validate Installation of Head Node Services in the Context of the Failover Cluster