AlwaysOn CheckList

Windows Server 2012 and SQL Server 2012 AlwaysOn availability group

SQL Server 2012 AlwaysOn availability group is HOT!!!!
-Use Windows Server 2012
-DO NOT Use Windows Server 2008 R2 ( BAD BAD BAD Idea!)

 Before we start on availability groups, we need to prepare for the following checklist.

Ø  Windows Server Operating system version & edition

Ø  Processor

Ø  Memory

Ø  Data/Log/Temp/Backup drives Configuration for SQL Server

Ø  Central backup share for both primary and secondary replicas

Ø  Windows recommended hot fixes  For Windows 2012: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2784261

Ø  Public static ip addresses for private network in primary and secondary replica

Ø  Private ip address for public network in primary and secondary replica

Ø  Virtual cluster name and virtual cluster ip address

Ø  Number of nodes on a cluster

Ø  Quorum model and CIF share configuration

Ø  SQL server Enterprise Edition

Ø  SQL Server Cu updates

Ø  Availability groups Names

Ø  Reserved availability group Listener names and listener static IP Addresses

Ø  Number of availability groups on primary replica

Ø  Number of databases on each availability group

Please read the following links before we start AlwaysOn.
Prerequisites, Restrictions, and Recommendations for AlwaysOn Availability Groups (SQLServer)
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff878487.aspx#RestrictionsAG

Note : AlwaysOn availability groups do not work with distributed transactions. (MSDTC)