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Windows Cluster Mixed Mode License Question - Datacenter and Standard

JoshW37166 1 Reputation point
2022-08-18T18:09:40.727+00:00

Goal is to upgrade a current Server 2012R2 (Datacenter Version)

Plan is update the 2 current Server 2012R2 DC to Server 2016DC enable mixed mode

Add 2 NEW Server 2019 (Std) nodes to the cluster then decommission the 2016 nodes leaving just the 2019 Nodes.

I've searched and searched but am unable to confirm if there would be any issues/complications with the existing nodes being Datacenter and the new node being Standard.

Thank you for any insights.

Windows Server Clustering
Windows Server Clustering
Windows Server: A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.Clustering: The grouping of multiple servers in a way that allows them to appear to be a single unit to client computers on a network. Clustering is a means of increasing network capacity, providing live backup in case one of the servers fails, and improving data security.
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  1. Limitless Technology 39,676 Reputation points
    2022-08-19T15:12:42.55+00:00

    Hello

    Thank you for your question and reaching out. I can understand you are having query related to Winodows failover clustering.

    First off all Windows edition should be Datacenter as standard edition should be not supported for Clustering.

    Also, you can have windows server 2016 and windows server 2012R2 nodes participating in the same cluster. It’s called mixed mode, which is a new compatibility feature/enhancement introduced to transition from server 2012 R2 to 2016 without downtime. However you can’t leave the cluster in that state for ever. You’ve 4 weeks time to be in supported state. As soon as all the nodes in the cluster are upgraded to server 2016 the cluster functional level should be upgraded. Once this is done, we can’t revert/rollback, we can’t add 2012 R2 nodes to this cluster anymore.

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  2. JoshW37166 1 Reputation point
    2022-08-22T16:48:29.917+00:00

    Appreciate the information. I am pretty clear on everything with the exception of Failover Clustering requiring Server Datacenter Licensing? I can assure you Windows Server Failover Clustering is a feature of "Standard" licensing.

    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/editions-comparison-windows-server-2019

    So in short I was hoping to get any insights into this scenario working for the interim mixed-mode setup for a refresh project:

    Failover Cluster:
    Existing Hosts running Server 2016 Datacenter
    enable mixed mode
    Add 2 new servers to the cluster running Server 2019 Standard
    decommission old 2016 DC host
    disable mixed-mode

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