SSAS Cluster Setup

Question

Hi
We have a requirement to set up SQL Server Analysis server Clustering in one of our PROD server.
As of now ,we have the Host Server name ,and SSAS instance name are same.
let's say
Host Server name=WINSRV1
SSAS instance Name(default instance)=WINSRV1
So My question is does SQL Server Analysis server Clustering(2012)  supports same instance name as that of Host Name in the Cluster?
We have so may users using Excel to connect to the SSAS instance.We need to set up the SSAS Clustering without user need to change the existing connection string.
Please let me know any further info.Your help would be highly appreciated.
Thank you

Answer 1

Hi sarma.vdn,
According to your description, you want to set a SSAS Cluster environment using same SSAS instance name. Right?
In this scenario, since the two instances are on two different server, we can use the same SSAS instance name. However, in SSAS, the only supported way to connect to a clustered SSAS instance is to use the “virtual server name” (also called network name).
Usage of the instance name like in  “VirtualServerName\InstanceName” is not supported. So even you specify the same instance name, since we can't use the same network name in cluster environment, you still have to change the existing connection string.
For more information, please see:
How to connect to clustered Analysis Services instances
If you have any question, please feel free to ask.
Simon Hou
TechNet Community Support