Windows 2008r2 EE, SP1
SQL 2008r2 EE RTM
5-Node Cluster with 22 SQL Instances (and 6000 databases)
Hosts are: Dell 710HD, 128GB memory, Dual Socket-six core 2.8HGHz, 2 disk R1 OS
Storage: FC conneccted dedicated HP EVA p6300 with 64 Disk
We are trying to install SQL 2008r2 SP2 and CU1. We did a lot of testing on cluster nodes with 20 SQL instances; SP2 took2 hr 20 min to install, and the CU1 took3 hr 18 minper node. This duration is repeatable.
The installer seems to spend a LOT of time between instances enumerating. An install goes like this:After starting the installer it takes 10 minutes to get thru initial enumeration. Then antother 10 minutes on files checks (which we skipped over in subsequent install tests). Then "Initiating Instance Servicing start" window pops up, wait (you guessed it) another 10 minutes. Now at 30 minutes in, the installer finally updates it's first SQL Instance. That flies by in about 15 seconds. Then it seems to enumerate everyting again (guessing) taking another 10 minutes before it starts on the next instance. Repeat 22 times.
There are no problems with the servers, network, hosts, or storage. There is no resource bottleneck in any component during the installation.
Has anyone else in a similar environment done an SP install? Was it this painful? If it was I know you fixed it, and would very much appreciated any advice. We were able to shave 10 minutes off by skipping the file check screen, and another 10 minutes by using cmd line. But 20 minutes isnt much help. We need to shave hours off of this install.