In recent past, I was assisting a client in installing SQL Server clustered instance in a Windows Cluster. There were many errors encountered and I learned a lot from this experience. In this blog, we would learn about Microsoft Cluster Service (MSCS) cluster verification errors which might appear during installation or AddNode.
We got the below error and as we can see, it was a setup “rule” failure rather than an installation error.
Setup wizard failed with the rule — Microsoft Cluster Service (MSCS) cluster verification errors. Once we have this error, we would not be able to proceed next unless we fix it or follow KB to skip this rule.
From the Detail.txt we found the below error:
<DateTime>Slp: Rule evaluation message: The cluster either has not been verified or there are errors or failures in the verification report. Refer to KB953748 or SQL Server Books Online for more information.
Now, everyone might think we already have a KB Article 953748. It also has a workaround and almost all the client with whom I have interreacted, just use that method. But this client was interested to know why such error is occurring.
SOLUTION/WORKAROUND
From what I have seen, this error can occur due to one the following reasons,
- Cluster Validation was never run on the cluster
- Cluster Validation report contains errors
- Unable to access Cluster Validation report due to Admin$ share access blocked
- Cluster Validation report not present in the cluster nodes
- Unable to find the Cluster Validation report.
It is very important you understand why these errors have generated and try to resolve them first before going to the workaround step given in the above-mentioned article. Especially when you have found errors/warnings in the cluster validation report. If you have not run the report, I would highly recommend you run it before making any cluster-related installation.
Cluster Validation was never run on the cluster
Run Windows Cluster Validation using Failover Cluster Manager, read here.
Cluster Validation report contains errors
Fix the errors found in the report before you begin installing SQL Server.
Unable to access Cluster Validation report due to Admin$ share access is blocked
Unblock the Admin$ share before you begin installing SQL Server. Below is an example
Slp: Init rule target object: Microsoft.SqlServer.Configuration.Cluster.Rules.ClusterServiceFacet
Slp: Validation Report not found on Node1.DomainName.com
Slp: Validation Report not found on Node2.DomainName.com
I would write another blog in the same series as I found multiple reasons for such behavior. Stay tuned! Please comment and let me know if you found some more causes and ways to fix it.
Reference: Pinal Dave (https://blog.sqlauthority.com)
First appeared on SQL SERVER – Install Error: Microsoft Cluster Service (MSCS) Cluster Verification Errors – Part 1