WSUS Migration from 2012 R2 to 2019

Marcus Wong Theen Nam 1,091 Reputation points
2021-11-03T03:03:54.893+00:00

My existing WSUS setup on WS2012R2 and the SUSDB is created on a separate SQL 2017 cluster. I would like to migrate it to a new WS2019 Server. I am thinking of configuring the new server as a downstream replica server but wondering how should I cope with the SQL database. Appreciate if anyone could answer the below questions:

  1. Can I configure the new WS2019 server to use WID instead of a database in existing SQL 2017 clustered instance? Will the updates and computer groups replicate to new server's WID?
  2. If I am going to use back the same SQL 2017 cluster for new WSUS server, how should I proceed with that? Just setup a new WSUS 2019 server and point it to the SQL instance? Will I be able to see the existing config after pointing the DB or I will have to do some kind of downstream configuration?
Windows Server
Windows Server
A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
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  1. Rita Hu -MSFT 9,626 Reputation points
    2021-11-05T09:07:02.337+00:00

    @Marcus Wong Theen Nam
    Here is my test result and I would like to share with you in Server 2012R2:

    1. Stop the WSUS Administrator Website in IIS

    2)Back the SUSDB database in the SQL server and Delete the SUSDB in the SSMS console
    146841-5.png

    146816-6.png146777-6.png

    3)Reinstall a new WSUS role in the Windows Server 2019 with the SQL server database and finish the post install the New WSUS.
    146832-7.png

    4)Stop the WSUS Administrator Website in IIS after the installation finished

    5) Offline the SUSDB in the SQL Server
    146797-8.png

    6) Restore the SUSDB by the command:

    RESTORE DATABASE SUSDBFROM DISK = 'C:\backup\SUSDB.bak' WITH REPLACE

    7) Start the WSUS Administrator Website in IIS

    8) Change the FQDN(Server name and IP address) to the old WSUS. The pointed computers will report to the new WSUS(Server 2019)

    Note that there is no such document from MS for reference and this solution is not recommended by MS. So we cannot guarantee that there will be no problems during deployment. I just want to share my test result for your reference.

    Hope the above will be helpful.

    Regards,
    Rita

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  1. Rita Hu -MSFT 9,626 Reputation points
    2021-11-04T09:56:49.227+00:00

    @Marcus Wong Theen Nam
    Thanks for your posting on Q&A.

    I would like to test it in my lab first and I will come back as soon as possible.

    Thanks for understanding and cooperation.

    Regards,
    Rita

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