Apply Patches on clustering

Question

Hi All,

I know how to apply service packs on Active/Passive side because we are using only Active\Passive. Can any one explain

how we can apply service packs on Active\Active side(two node cluster).?

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Raveendra

Answer 1

Hello,

When patching in a cluster, the basic outline is:

1. Move resource groups when applicable off of the node being patched.

2. Change the resource groups to no be able to fail to the node being patched.

3. Verify you're on the correct node!

4. Patch.

5. Verify the patch was successful.

6. Continue to patch other nodes. When you're minimum number of nodes patched is over 50% successful, add the nodes back in to the possible owners list and fail to one of the newly successfully patched nodes. This will *possibly* run upgrades on your database (version) which may be incompatible with the version that isn't patched.

7. Repeat, per node until all nodes are patched. Then add the nodes back into the owners for the correct resource groups.

-Sean

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Sean Gallardy, MCC | Blog

Answer 2

We are missing a very important piece of information in your question: what version of Windows and SQL Server are you using? Sean`s recommendation applies to SQL Server 2008 and higher. In SQL Server 2005, you need to run the service pack installation on the node that is running the cluster resource group. This will introduce downtime since it will push the patch installation on all of the nodes. This is unlike in SQL Server 2008 where you can patch the node that does not host the clustered resource

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Edwin Sarmiento SQL Server MVP
Blog | Twitter | LinkedIn

Answer 3

Edwin,

Excellent catch, I should have put something in for 2005! Although with 2005, it always patches the nodes not running the current instance to be patched first and does the node that is running the resource last.

-Sean

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Sean Gallardy, MCC | Blog