Hello. I have just built my first SQL Server 2012 failover cluster. It is a 2 node Active/Active cluster and it is functioning fine (using a disk witness for quorum). As this is my first build, I am trying to digest all of the more advanced aspects of the build 1 thing at a time. As of now, I want to start thinking about the use of additional network adapters and NIC teaming (I will tackle NIC teaming after I get my mind wrapped around the below situation).
First I'd like an understanding about the network adapters. I've searched and viewed many videos and read many blogs, but can't find anything very helpful. Each node had 4 adapters. Right now, 1 adapter is configured for heartbeat and the other is the public adapter. The other two are disabled. When I have both SQL Server instances running on the same host (which is what will happen if 1 host dies), they are both functioning properly. I would like to enable a 3rd adapter on each machine and assign each instance of SQL Server (or each role) to use one or the other exclusively. This way, when they fail over to each other, Instance1 will always use nic1 and instance2 will always use nic2.
Is this possible, or is it even necessary? I know this does nothing for HA, but it may help with performance as all the traffic is not going through one adapter.
Thanks.
Alex