SharePoint University

Hi all

I just discovered something on our SharePoint SQL server. We have a LUN attached (Drive D:\) and this is where we are storing our databases. When SQL was installed, it was installed on this drive (Drive D:\). Can I uninstall SQL (without losing the SharePoint databases) and re-install it so SQL is installed on the C:\ drive and the databases stay on the D:\ (Attached LUN) drive? If so, What would i need to do. This is a production box with about 20 sites all in their own content databases.

Thanks.

Hello,

A few options pops into mind. First of all, this is no problem. You can reinstall and just reattach the 'old' databases in the new instance. My suggestion would be to detach the databases and back them up some place offsite in case you need to do something drastic to the server. While this will work you will have considerable downtime, and depending on your SLA that might not be an option.

Second option is to install a separate instance. SQL Server from 2000 have the option of running consecutive servers on the same box. The subsequent instances are addressed as SERVER\INSTANCE rather than just SERVER. Install the second instance without touching the first one, move the databases there and do the usual database migration tasks in SharePoint.

.b

 Thanks b

I Was thinking about setting up another SQL box and setting up database mirroring, failover to the new SQL box and done. No downtime. I was hoping to avoid having SharePoint down for too long, it's right in the middle of adoption by the departments.

If no downtime is a requirement then a forced failure may work. I personally don't like that since it is, well, not in the spirit of things. A failure is a failure and should not be actively sought as a remedy, if you get my point.

In any case, if you do have the extra hardware you can probably switch with just a few minutes of downtime. I agree your solution includes less downtime, but I just prefer the 'cleaner' approach.

Good luck in any case :-)

.b