PRB: Cluster Group Containing SQL Server and MS DTC Moves Slowly (223786)

SYMPTOMS

When moving a cluster group containing both Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator (MS DTC) and SQL Server resources between nodes, it takes several minutes to take the resources offline and move the group to the other node. However, if the MS DTC resource is taken offline before moving the group, the group moves to the other node quickly.

NOTE: This article applies only to non-fibre cluster solutions using Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Enterprise Edition.

WORKAROUND

Add the Virtual Generic Service that the SQL Server Cluster Wizard creates to the list of dependencies for the MS DTC resource. To do so, use Cluster Administrator and perform the following steps:

Right-click the MS DTC resource, then click Properties on the shortcut menu.
On the Dependency tab, click Modify.
Under Available Resources, double-click the Generic Service resource, which the SQL Cluster Wizard created, to add it to the Dependencies list.
Click OK to close the Modify Dependencies window.
Click OK to close the MS DTC Properties window.

After this addition, the MS DTC resource should have the following dependencies:

Virtual Network Name
Physical Disk
Virtual Generic Service

MORE INFORMATION

IMPORTANT: Before unclustering SQL Server, you must remove this dependency as follows:

Right-click the MS DTC resource, then click Properties on the shortcut menu.
On the Dependency tab, click Modify.
In the Dependencies list, double-click the Generic Service resource, which the SQL Cluster Wizard created, to move it back to the Available Resources list.
Click OK to close the Modify Dependencies window.
Click OK to close the MS DTC Properties window.

After removing this dependency, the MS DTC resource should only have the following dependencies:

Virtual Network Name
Physical Disk