SETUP – Installing Analysis Services 2005 on a cluster

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I have received a lot of questions on installing Analysis Services 2005 on a cluster and I wanted to write this blog to answer those questions using specific scenarios.

Scenarios

- You create a new Windows Cluster and decide to install ALL components of SQL Server 2005 – Database Engine, Analysis Services, Reporting Services, Integration Services, Notification Services and Workstation Components.

In this scenario, the same virtual server will be used by all components. Follow the steps highlighted in this MSDN article to do so.

- You create a new Windows Cluster and ONLY want to install Analysis Services on this cluster (no other components).

In this scenario, you should follow the steps highlighted in KB 910230.

- You have an existing Windows cluster setup which has SQL Server 2005 components installed, except Analysis Services. Now, you want to add Analysis Services to this existing installation of SQL Server 2005 on the same cluster.

In this scenario, all components will share the same virtual server name.

You should not use Add/Remove Programs to add Analysis Services to the existing cluster (learn more here).

The only way to do achieve this is through command line installation of Analysis Services. Refer to my blog on how to install SQL Server components from command prompt.