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Cluster Node OS Upgrade

GAURAV SRIVASTAVA 60 Reputation points
2023-10-20T07:24:26.2633333+00:00

Hi,

We have two nodes windows cluster with Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter installed on its both nodes. I have two questions:

  1. Can we upgrade the operating system on its primary node with Windows Server 2016 Datacenter Edition without breaking the cluster ?
  2. Can we failover the cluster from secondary node with Windows Server 2012 R2 datacenter to its primary node with Windows Server 2016 datacenter ?

Please answer with steps to upgrade operating system on cluster nodes without breaking the cluster.

regards,

Gaurav Srivastava

SQL Server
SQL Server
A family of Microsoft relational database management and analysis systems for e-commerce, line-of-business, and data warehousing solutions.
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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. Alex Bykovskyi 2,241 Reputation points
    2023-10-23T15:39:50.66+00:00

    Hey,

    You can make a cluster rolling update from Windows Server 2012R2 to Windows Server 2016. You need to update your nodes one by one. Backup cluster database and roles on the cluster, move all the roles to one of the nodes, evict "empty" node from the cluster, update it, configure and add back to the cluster. Repeat steps on the other node. Should help: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/cluster-operating-system-rolling-upgrade

    In addition, you can use Starwinds VSAN on your nodes to make replicated shared storage for the cluster to avoid downtime. https://www.starwindsoftware.com/starwind-virtual-san

    Cheers,    
    Alex Bykovskyi    
    StarWind Software    
    Note: Posts are provided “AS IS” without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose.

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