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October 18, 2010

Adding .NET Framework to Windows Server 2008 R2 Part One – Command Line and PowerShell

Something which I don’t think I covered before but if I have, it bears repeating. I’m updating the chapter I wrote for the SQL Server 2008 upgrade guide for SQL Server 2008 R2, and finally got around to documenting how to properly install .NET Framework 3.51 on Windows Server 2008 R2 so you can install SQL Server 2008 or SQL Server 2008 R2. This blog post will cover how to install it using a command prompt and Part Two will cover the GUI, and you’ll see why the command line are PowerShell ways are better and less confusing. These instructions will also help you create deployment scripts, which will help you automate the entire process.

You should not need to reboot to install .NET 3.51 under normal conditions.

Note: The instructions assume the user executing have the right permissions to install features.

Why are things different on Windows Server 2008 R2? If you try to run the standalone installer package that ships with SQL Server 2008 or SQL Server 2008 R2, you will see this message:

Error when trying to install .NET using the package

It’s not the best written message as the tool it tells you to use is wrong, but that’s OK. Don’t worry about that. You’ll see what I mean in Part Two.

Normal Command Prompt
The first method I’m going to show you on how to install .NET Framework 3.51 is using the dism command, which can be done in any Command Prompt window. The command you want to enter is:

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFx3

Below is a sample execution:

Installing .NET 3.51 using dism

If you’re wondering why I got the reboot prompt, it’s probably because I had just done the PowerShell way (see below) and didn’t reboot yet.

PowerShell
If you haven’t hear me say it before, I’ll say it again: learn PowerShell. It’s the way of the future for command line-based administration and tools. You’ll be using two cmdlets: Get-WindowsFeature and Add-WindowsFeature.

First, you will execute the command:
Get-WindowsFeature NET*

This will show you the status of whether or note what you want is installed. Note that in the sample execution below, there is no X next to any of the .NET-related features. Now, also note that there are multiple options for .NET features. For SQL Server, you only need the .NET Framework. As you will see in Part Two, if you try to install everything, you’ll get things you may not want nor should you install in most SQL Server installs (especially on a cluster).

Once you verify that .NET 3.51 has not been configured, you will execute this command:
Add-WindowsFeature Net-Framework-Core
Note that the Net-Framework-Core is the name Windows uses internally; don’t try to use the friendly name (the Display Name column) from the output of Get-WindowsFeature. Use the value from the Name column.

Finally, re-run Get-WindowsFeature NET* and you will see everything is configured.

Below is a sample execution:

Installing .NET 3.51 Using PowerShell

September 14, 2010

Schedule and Other Updates

Sorry it’s been so long – I have had a crazy busy summer! Just a quick note here to update you on a few things.

Schedule Updates

I’ll be speaking at the New York City SQL Server User Group next Thursday, 9/23. Check out my Schedule for details.
I’m doing a high availability webcast next month. Details are being locked down.
I’ll be speaking at PASS in November.
I have a few abstracts for submission to the NYC SQL Saturday in November. Once I know what is accepted, I’ll post more details.

Other Updates

I was renewed as a Cluster MVP! I’m very psyched and I thank those who made that decision.
I’ve got quite a few papers in the works. As soon as they’re published, it’ll be posted here.
I’ve got some new training in the works as well … again, details to follow!

It’s going to be an exciting, but busy end of the year. Hope to see you at one of the events …

May 15, 2010

Bug – Combining Failover Clustering & Log Shipping When Programs Installed On Another Drive

A customer of mine contacted me this week about a problem they were having. They have a two-node failover cluster on Windows Server 2008 R2 with an instance of SQL Server 2008 with SQL Server 2008 SP1. They installed SQL Server’s program files to another drive – not the main system drive (C). They then configured log shipping. Everything worked fine until they were testing failover. When the instance was failed over to the node which was not the first one installed, log shipping stopped working. When they failed it back, everything worked. After a WebEx session, it looks like Setup didn’t put everything in the right place on the other node. Before I rushed to any conclusions, I needed to reproduce the problem to see if it was possibly something that went wrong in their setup. Here’s what I did.

1. I created a two node W2K8 R2 cluster with a slipstreamed SQL Server 2008 SP1 instance.

Here is where I installed the progams to:

and on the next dialog

So far, so good.

2. I configured log shipping to an instance on another server while the instance was on the original (first) node it was installed on. Everything worked great.

3. I failed the instance over to the other node, and log shipping failed.

4. I failed the instance back to the original node. Lo and behold, log shipping worked again.

So what happened?

If you look at the job step for the transaction log backup job, here’s what it is calling:
“Z:Program FilesMicrosoft SQL Server100ToolsBinnsqllogship.exe” -Backup 6B81BF42-4AA8-4DE3-8349-5E54EE0C52ED -server KILROY

Here is what the programs look like on the first (original) install node for Drive Z. Note the shared tools directory with SqlLogShip.exe.

Here is what the programs look like on the second node (add node) install:
C drive showing the shared tools directory with SqlLogShip.exe.

Z drive showing no shared tools directory.

So it’s pretty clear to me that the Add Node operation is not putting the files in the same place even though the other node has the same drive structure, thus causing log shipping to stop working in a failover.

If you install things all to the original system drive (such as C), everything works fine so that is a workaround. But I know some of you like to put program files in places other than the system drive.

I have written this up over on the Connect site here, so if you want to try to get this fixed, vote for it!

The funny thing about this is that on the initial install I selected everything to go to the Z drive, but it still install some files to C. Interesting.

February 23, 2010

Going to TechEd North America 2010? So Am I!

I just found out one of my proposed sessions was approved, so I’ll be speaking at TechEd North America 2010. This year it’s back in New Orleans from June 7 – 10. I was at I think the last TechEd in around 2003 or so in New Orleans (well, the last one in New Orleans *I* spoke at). Clearly it’s too early to know what day or time, but I’m very happy and honored nonetheless. Stay tuned for more info.

Oh, and if you’re curious, it’s a clustering-related session – not a surprise.

November 20, 2009

Come See Me at World of Windows Server in Singapore Dec 8 – 10.

Well, it’s official – the website just went up. Can’t hide it anymore … I’m delivering a 3-day masterclass on consolidation and virtualization at World of Windows Server in Singapore as well as delivering two sessions (although the current website shows two different, it is going to be a two parter on clustering). I’m very exicted and honored to have been asked to do this.

If you don’t live in Singapore or can’t get there (hey, what’s a few thousand US dollars to take a little excursion to Singapore at the last minute – just ask ask your boss!), I do plan on delivering the masterclass and possibly expanding it to four or five days. Or not. I’ve spent a lot of time over this past month in content development (official v1 of my Windows Server 2008/SQL Server failover clustering class and this upcoming delivery in Singapore), and am going to assess it after I’m done to see if any tweaks are needed. I can promise you that whether you come to Singapore or see it in a town near you, it’l be a lot of fun, technical content, and information.

Contact me if you want to know more!

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