Hello, we have a SQL-Cluster 2008 R2 containing "Server1" and "Server2". The Cluster Name is "SQLLive". All servers are VMs. On this cluster we put all our Sharepoint 2010 Databases an Some Databases for our ERP-Software. We didn't made an SQL-Alias Entry at the Sharepoint Server. So the "SQLLive" instance is direct configured in the Central Administration. Now we have to split up these databases on several instances due to performance issues. Also the Cluster we want to break up. But for both (Sharepoint and the ERP-System) it would be great to keep the SQL-Server-Name or alias. So my Idea would be. Removing the second cluster node. I'm not sure if the remaing virtual SQL-Instance has still the name "SQLLive" or "Server1"? Than i want to rename the SQL-Instance to "Server1" and leave all the Sharepoint databases on it. Than Installing another Server (physical) with SQL 2008 R2 with Name "SQLLive" and put all the ERP Databases to this instance. So for my ERP-System nothing changes. But for the Sharepoint Server the database name now is "Server1" and not "SQLLive". That issue i wanted to fix with an SQL-Alias at the Sharepoint Server with the Name "SQLLive", pointing to "Server1". Is that a way to go? Do you have other ideas? Thanks, Thomas

That would be my way to go as well. Setup a SQL alias on the SharePoint systems to point to the new SQL server instance. Do not try to change ths SharePoint configuration itself. This wayt you can change it later on as well.Dirk Van den Berghe

Hello, thank you. But is it a problem to have both in the network - the real new "SQLLive" and the "Server1" with the Alias "SQLLive"? As i understood that SQL-Alias thing only the Sharepoint Server knows "Server1" as "SQLLive"? Isn't that true? But isn't there the chance that the sharepoint Server connects to the real "SQLLive"-instance. Does the Alias-Resolution get more attention than the normal DNS-resolution? Thomas

for SharePoint the SQL Alias will take precedence over DNS resolution, so it should not be an issue to have a system online with the same name as the alias nameDirk Van den Berghe

Hi, You can create a new SQL alias(SQLLive) through SQL Server Client Network Utility on SharePoint server, point it to the server1, then you can setup the new ERP database by using normal method, for example, use DNS record to point it to SQLLive. By default, the SQL Server Client Network Utility is installed on SharePoint server. For more information about how to setup and use a SQL Server alias, check out the following article: http://www.mssqltips.com/sqlservertip/1620/how-to-setup-and-use-a-sql-server-alias/ Thanks, Rock Wang Forum Support Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help and unmark them if they provide no help. If you have feedback for TechNet Subscriber Support, contact tnmff@microsoft.com.Rock Wang TechNet Community Support