Migrating steps for SQL 2008 Cluster from Windows 2008 to Windows 2008 R2

Question

Hi ALL,

We have a SQL 2008 with SP1 Cluster running on Windows 2008 Enterprise Server and want to upgrade the SQL 2008 Cluster to Windows 2008 R2 Enterprise. According to the Technet Note, there is no in-place upgrade for Windows 2008 R2. We need to migrate the settings from the existing Windows 2008 Cluster to the new Windows 2008 R2 Cluster. However, the Technet note only addresses File and Print Services. Can anyone know where can I find the information to migrate SQL Cluster Resource?

TIA

M

Answer 1

As you noted, there is no direct path for upgrading  the cluster in place to Windows 2008 R2.

You can split the cluster and use the existing nodes to create a new cluster and migrate the database.

You can extend that strategy and add temporary nodes to the existing cluster during the migration.

You can create a new cluster out of new hardware and migrate the SQL data.

Note that there is no "wizard" to do this migration.  You must create the new SQL instance(s) and move data, logins, etc. manually.

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Geoff N. Hiten Principal Consultant Microsoft SQL Server MVP