Frequently asked questions - SQL Server 2000 - multiple instances

This article is meant to address frequently asked questions encountered during the setup or after the installation of multiple instances of SQL Server on the same computer.

1. Q: How do I install multiple instances of OLAP Services?
   
   A: Unlike SQL Server, OLAP Services does not support multiple instances on a single server. Also, it is not possible to run both OLAP Services 7.0 and OLAP Services 2000 on the same computer.
2. Q: When I install multiple instances of SQL Server, where are the tools installed for each instance?
   
   A: SQL Server 2000, version 8.0 always installs the tools on a system drive such as the common directory in Windows NT, so you will have only one set of tools, which will be common to all instances. This set of tools works with SQL Server 7.0 servers as well as SQL Server 2000, version 8.0 servers, and replaces the SQL Server 7.0 tools that may already be installed on the computer.
3. Q: Does the port number for an instance have to be configured during setup?
   
   A: No. During setup, you have the option of either entering the port number or allowing the server to choose the port number.
4. Q: When running both SQL Server 7.0 and SQL Server 2000, version 8.0 on the same computer, is there any way to get the two instances to share the same user databases?
   
   A: No. The same database files cannot be used for both SQL Server 7.0 and SQL Server 2000, version 8.0 instances. SQL Server 7.0 databases can be upgraded to SQL Server 2000, version 8.0 databases, but after the database files are upgraded, they cannot be used by the SQL Server 7.0 instance. Note that this database upgrade is done automatically when a SQL Server 7.0 database is attached or restored to a SQL Server 2000, version 8.0 server. In addition, there is no way to downgrade the database files from SQL Server 2000, version 8.0 files to SQL Server 7.0 files.
5. Q: Can I rename an instance of SQL Server 2000 after I have already installed it on the computer?
   
   A: Yes. You can change the name of an instance as long as the server is not clustered. For more information, visit the following Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Web site:
   http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa197071(SQL.80).aspx (http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa197071(SQL.80).aspx)
6. Q: Can I have multiple instances of SQL Server for a single SQL virtual server on a failover cluster?
   
   A: No. You can run only one instance of SQL Server for each virtual server on a SQL Server failover cluster. However, you can install up to 16 SQL virtual servers on a failover cluster. The instance of SQL Server can be either a default instance or a named instance. The virtual server looks like a single computer to applications that are connecting to the instance of SQL Server. When applications connect to the virtual server, they use the same convention as when they connect to any instance of SQL Server. They specify the virtual server name of the cluster and the optional instance name (only needed for named instances): virtualservername\instancename.
   
   When SQL Server is installed to a cluster, only one default instance of SQL Server is permitted. This default instance could be one of the clustered instances of SQL Server or a locally installed SQL Server version on either node. The locally installed SQL Server version could be a Microsoft Data Engine (MSDE) installation or a local installation from any one of the following SQL Server versions:
   • Desktop
   • Standard
   • Developer
   • Enterprise Edition
   All other installed instances must be named instances.

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