SQL upgrade of 50 instances to 2019

Question

Hi community,

I'm facing issue with sql server with 50 instances which I'm trying to upgrade to 2019 version. But GUI scenario hangs after selecting sql instance on message "please wait". Was waiting like 24 hours and nothing happens.

From logs found message which says that there is no more available slots. But why I need a new slot if I'm doing UPGRADE of existing instance ?

Any ideas how to do upgrade without uninstalling instance ?

Answer 1

Overall summary:
Final result: Failed: see details below
Exit code (Decimal): -2146233079
Exit facility code: 19
Exit error code: 5385
Exit message: SQL Server 2019 cannot add any more instances. To continue installing this instance, you must uninstall an existing instance.
Start time: 2022-06-15 07:58:51
End time: 2022-06-15 08:00:12
Requested action: Upgrade

Exception summary:
The following is an exception stack listing the exceptions in outermost to innermost order
Inner exceptions are being indented

Exception type: System.InvalidOperationException
Message:
SQL Server 2019 cannot add any more instances. To continue installing this instance, you must uninstall an existing instance.
HResult : 0x80131509

Can't attach file because of size. Try to access it here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VcaeZOXgJrCth7jez2Y-rwKPjEN34MFI/view?usp=sharing

Answer 2

I'm facing issue with sql server with 50 instances which I'm trying to upgrade ...
Exit message: SQL Server 2019 cannot add any more instances.

Is it possible, that you have all 50 instances runing on one machine? 50 instance is the maximum and if you get that error message, then because you perform an installation of a further instance, not an upgrade of an existsing instance.

Answer 3

Yes, we are using 50 small instances on one VM. It is working just fine. And as I said I'm trying to do an upgrade from 2012 to 2019 standard edition.

I already tested on a cloned copy that if I remove one instance the setup goes well, but it is not a solution to uninstall an instance to upgrade others.

From the logs I pasted above you can see:
Requested action: Upgrade

Answer 4

I already tested on a cloned copy that if I remove one instance the setup goes well, but it is not a solution to uninstall an instance to upgrade others.

Why not? You should be able to reinstall it, once you are done with the others. Yes, you will have copy logins and jobs. But it is certainly not an unreasonable option. Many people prefer to install a new instance and move databases when they upgrade the SQL version. (And often they also move to new hardware.)

If this really is a showstopper, you would need to open a support case, but to be honest, I think your chances that it will result in an updated installer are slim.

Answer 5

I don't know how you are working with your clients, but stopping (removing) one instance is a downtime until all others are upgraded and it is not 5 minutes. I've tried upgrade even to 2017 but no luck. Probably will open ticket to MS.
Thanks.