Windows Server 2022 Failover Cluster using PowerShell
for SQL Server Always On Availability Groups

Table of Contents

• 1. Prerequisites
• 2. Install Failover Clustering Feature
• 3. Import Module & Validate Cluster
• 4. Create the Cluster
• 5. Verify Cluster Configuration
• 6. Add Witness

0. Environment

1. Prerequisites

• All four servers must run Windows Server 2022.
• All servers must be joined to the same Active Directory domain.
• Ensure proper DNS name resolution between all nodes.
• Verify network connectivity and configure static IP addresses.
• Install the latest Windows updates and vendor drivers.

2. Install Failover Clustering Feature

Run the following command on each node as Administrator.

On NTICBPSQLSGV01

PS C:\Users\Administrator> Install-WindowsFeature -Name Failover-Clustering -IncludeManagementTools                     
Success Restart Needed Exit Code      Feature Result
------- -------------- ---------      --------------
True    No             Success        {Failover Clustering, Remote Server Admini...


PS C:\Users\Administrator> hostname
NTICBPSQLSGV01
PS C:\Users\Administrator>
PS C:\Users\Administrator> Get-WindowsFeature -Name Failover-Clustering

Display Name                                            Name                       Install State
------------                                            ----                       -------------
[X] Failover Clustering                                 Failover-Clustering            Installed

PS C:\Users\Administrator>

On NTICBPSQLSGV02

PS C:\Users\Administrator> Install-WindowsFeature -Name Failover-Clustering -IncludeManagementTools                     
Success Restart Needed Exit Code      Feature Result
------- -------------- ---------      --------------
True    No             Success        {Failover Clustering, Remote Server Admini...


PS C:\Users\Administrator> hostname
NTICBPSQLSGV02
PS C:\Users\Administrator> Get-WindowsFeature -Name Failover-Clustering

Display Name                                            Name                       Install State
------------                                            ----                       -------------
[X] Failover Clustering                                 Failover-Clustering            Installed


PS C:\Users\Administrator>

On NTICBPSQLSGV03

PS C:\Users\Administrator> Install-WindowsFeature -Name Failover-Clustering -IncludeManagementTools                     
Success Restart Needed Exit Code      Feature Result
------- -------------- ---------      --------------
True    No             Success        {Failover Clustering, Remote Server Admini...


PS C:\Users\Administrator> hostname
NTICBPSQLSGV03
PS C:\Users\Administrator> Get-WindowsFeature -Name Failover-Clustering

Display Name                                            Name                       Install State
------------                                            ----                       -------------
[X] Failover Clustering                                 Failover-Clustering            Installed

PS C:\Users\Administrator>

On NTICBPSQLSGV04

PS C:\Users\Administrator> Install-WindowsFeature -Name Failover-Clustering -IncludeManagementTools                     
Success Restart Needed Exit Code      Feature Result
------- -------------- ---------      --------------
True    No             Success        {Failover Clustering, Remote Server Admini...


PS C:\Users\Administrator> hostname
NTICBPSQLSGV04
PS C:\Users\Administrator> Get-WindowsFeature -Name Failover-Clustering

Display Name                                            Name                       Install State
------------                                            ----                       -------------
[X] Failover Clustering                                 Failover-Clustering            Installed


PS C:\Users\Administrator>

3. Import Cluster Module and Validate Cluster Configuration

On NTICBPSQLSGV01

Load the Windows Failover Clustering PowerShell module into your current PowerShell session.
Run validation before creating the cluster:

On NTICBPSQLSGV01:

PS C:\Users\Administrator> hostname
NTICBPSQLSGV01
PS C:\Users\Administrator> Import-Module FailoverClusters
PS C:\Users\Administrator>

PS C:\Users\Administrator> Test-Cluster -Node NTICBPSQLSGV01,NTICBPSQLSGV02,NTICBPSQLSGV03,NTICBPSQLSGV04
WARNING: System Configuration - Validate Software Update Levels: The test reported some warnings..
WARNING: Network - Validate Network Communication: The test reported some warnings..
WARNING:
Test Result:
HadUnselectedTests, ClusterConditionallyApproved
Testing has completed for the tests you selected. You should review the warnings in the Report.  A cluster solution is
supported by Microsoft only if you run all cluster validation tests, and all tests succeed (with or without warnings).
Test report file path: C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Temp\2\Validation Report 2025.12.29 At 18.28.44.htm

Mode                 LastWriteTime         Length Name
----                 -------------         ------ ----
-a----        12/29/2025   6:34 PM        1346352 Validation Report 2025.12.29 At 18.28.44.htm


PS C:\Users\Administrator>

4. Create the Cluster

New-Cluster `
 -Name NTICBPSQLSGC05 `
 -Node NTICBPSQLSGV01,NTICBPSQLSGV02,NTICBPSQLSGV03,NTICBPSQLSGV04 `
 -StaticAddress 192.168.2.25 `
 -NoStorage

PS C:\Users\Administrator> New-Cluster `
>>  -Name NTICBPSQLSGC05 `
>>  -Node NTICBPSQLSGV01,NTICBPSQLSGV02,NTICBPSQLSGV03,NTICBPSQLSGV04 `
>>  -StaticAddress 192.168.2.25 `
>>  -NoStorage

Name
----
NTICBPSQLSGC05


PS C:\Users\Administrator>

5. Verify Cluster Configuration

Cluster Name

PS C:\Users\Administrator> Get-Cluster

Name
----
NTICBPSQLSGC05


PS C:\Users\Administrator>

Cluster Nodes

PS C:\Users\Administrator> Get-ClusterNode

Name           State Type
----           ----- ----
NTICBPSQLSGV01 Up    Node
NTICBPSQLSGV02 Up    Node
NTICBPSQLSGV03 Up    Node
NTICBPSQLSGV04 Up    Node


PS C:\Users\Administrator>

Cluster Resources

PS C:\Users\Administrator> Get-ClusterResource

Name               State  OwnerGroup    ResourceType
----               -----  ----------    ------------
Cluster IP Address Online Cluster Group IP Address
Cluster Name       Online Cluster Group Network Name


PS C:\Users\Administrator>

Cluster Network

PS C:\Users\Administrator> Get-ClusterNetwork | Format-Table Name, Address, Role, State

Name              Address                 Role State
----              -------                 ---- -----
Cluster Network 1 192.168.2.0 ClusterAndClient    Up


PS C:\Users\Administrator>

6. Add Witness

In this test lab environment, the File Share Witness (FSW) is hosted on the Domain Controller (DC).

Using a Domain Controller as File Share Witness is NOT recommended for production.

• In production, the File Share Witness should be hosted on:
  • A dedicated file server
  • Azure Cloud Witness (recommended)
• The witness folder must have Full Control for:
  • The Windows Failover Cluster computer object
  • SQL Server Always On cluster name object

Caution: Your use of any information or materials on this website is entirely at your own risk. It is provided for educational purposes only. It has been tested internally, however, we do not guarantee that it will work for you. Ensure that you run it in your test environment before using.

Thank you,
Rajasekhar Amudala
Email: br8dba@gmail.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajasekhar-amudala/