BUG: Automatic SQL Cluster Failover Does Not Work with Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4

ID: Q216674

The information in this article applies to:
BUG #: 18564 (SQLBUG_65)

SYMPTOMS

The Microsoft Cluster Server (MSCS) Resource Manager fails to move a SQL Server resource group to the other cluster node in case the SQL Server 6.5 or SQL Executive resource in the group cannot be brought online on the owning node. This only happens when the cluster nodes are running Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4 or later.


CAUSE

Before moving the group, the Resource Manager sends an Offline request to all resource DLLs of the failing group. In this case, the SQL Server and SQL Executive resource DLLs do not handle this situation correctly and return error code 160 back to the Resource Manager. Starting with Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4, MSCS no longer ignores this error code and thus fails to move the resource group.


RESOLUTION

A supported fix that corrects this problem is now available from Microsoft, but it has not been fully regression tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. If you are not severely affected by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next SQL Server service pack that contains this fix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:

http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/overview/overview.asp
The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later: 

   Date        Time    Version      Size    File name      Platform
   ----------------------------------------------------------------

   1/26/99    1:59PM   6.50.421    85,359   Sql65res.dll   (Intel) 
   1/28/99   10:00AM   6.50.421    80,688   Sqx65res.dll   (Intel) 
   1/26/99    2:01PM   6.50.421   153,600   Sql65res.dll   (Alpha)
   1/28/99   10:01AM   6.50.421   148,480   Sqx65res.dll   (Alpha)
NOTE: Due to file dependencies, the most recent hotfix or feature that contains the above files may also contain additional files.

The hotfix is located at ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/bussys/sql/transfer/sql421i.exe for Intel systems and ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/bussys/sql/transfer/sql421a.exe for Alpha systems. A password is required to use these files; the password is 6.50.421.
NOTE: If this product was already installed on your computer when you purchased it from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and you need this fix, please call the Pay Per Incident number listed on the above Web site. If you contact Microsoft to obtain this fix, and if it is determined that you only require the fix you requested, no fee will be charged. However, if you request additional technical support, and if your no-charge technical support period has expired, or if you are not eligible for standard no-charge technical support, you may be charged a non-refundable fee.

For more information about eligibility for no-charge technical support, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q154871 Determining If You Are Eligible for No-Charge Technical Support


STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in SQL Server version 6.5 Enterprise Edition.

Additional query words: ee ent ed sp sp4 


Keywords          : SSrvAdmin kbbug6.50 
Version           : winnt:6.5
Platform          : winnt 
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: July 2, 1999