Can two separate SQL Server instances on a clustered box share the same resource name such as SQ

I am setting up a two active instances of MS SQL Server on a clustered box. In the past I have set up using the nomenclature SQLCLUSTERNAME\INSTANCE-NAME such as SQLCLUS1\INST1 and SQLCLUS2\INST2.

But, this time the client will like it installed such as SQLCLUS1\INST1 and SQLCLUS1\INST2. I did not think this is possible That is I assumed that cluster resource names have to be unique. But, nevertheless I have tried to do so for the last few days, but no luck.

Can someone please let me know if it is indeed possible to have two separate instances in a single cluster.

BTW, I know this is quite possible with non-clustered instances where the SQLSERV1\INST1 refers to an actual server name, and not a resource name.

You are partially correct.

You CAN have two separate instances in a cluster -but in order for the cluster resource names on both instances to be the same, both instances will have to be installed on the same node. You could do that, making it an Active-Passive cluster -but I don't think that is what you desire. So if you wish both nodes to be Active, then you will have to continue using distinctive resource names (as in your first surmise.)

|||BTW, how would you set up. One Active, and one passive with different instance names.|||The same way that you set up an Active-Active cluster, except you put both instances on the same node.|||I am still a little unsure. Will the instances have names such as SQLCLUS1\INST1 and SQLCLUS1\INST2 or SQLCLUS1\INST1 and SQLCLUS2\INST2.

- Daniel|||

If you are asking about two instances on the same host, then SQLCLUS1\INST1 and SQLCLUS1\INST2 would work.

Instance names can be whatever you desire. The virtual server name will be the same in both cases.