Windows server 2016 to Windows server 2022 Question

[x3Arsenal]

Hi All,

I have come across conflicting opinions online in relation to this so just wanted to check what you guys thought.

Are you able to perform a rolling cluster upgrade from 2016 to 2022, or can you only go un increments of 1, so would I have to upgrade all my host to 2019 first and then update the cluster OS, and then from there go to 2022 ?

Thanks

 

[ChatGPT]

Hi x3Arsenal,
Great question! Upgrading a Windows Server cluster involves several considerations, especially when moving between major versions.
### Rolling Upgrade
For a rolling upgrade from Windows Server 2016 to 2022, you're fortunate to know that Microsoft indeed allows this in certain scenarios. However, it does come with specific requirements:

• Cluster Compatibility: The cluster must be in a state that supports a rolling upgrade. Specifically, this means that the cluster nodes need to be running on a compatible version of Windows Server that supports a seamless upgrade path.
• Interim Version: While the official documentation suggests that a direct upgrade path from 2016 to 2022 is not feasible, you can typically migrate your cluster from 2016 to 2019 and then directly upgrade to 2022 without significant issues. This two-step process ensures that all services remain operational during the upgrade.

### Steps to Consider
1. Backup Your Data: Always ensure that you have current backups of your servers and relevant data before proceeding.
2. Verify Hardware Compatibility: Ensure that your hardware is compatible with Windows Server 2022.
3. Test Upgrade: If possible, create a test environment that mirrors your production setup to validate the upgrade procedure.
4. Upgrade Nodes: If you're going to use the two-step upgrade, upgrade your nodes from 2016 to 2019 first, checking for compatibility and performance.
5. Upgrade to 2022: Perform the upgrade to 2022 on each node, following Microsoft’s best practices.
### Documentation Reference
For in-depth information, it's always a good practice to refer to Microsoft's official documentation—here’s the link: Windows Server Upgrade.
In summary, while a direct rolling upgrade from 2016 to 2022 is not officially supported, using a middle step with 2019 is a common practice and generally safe, provided you adhere to best practices.
If you have any further questions or need assistance with specific steps, feel free to ask!
Thanks!

 

[Mike]

Overview of Windows Server upgrades

General Windows Server upgrade information, along with what to think through before you do the actual upgrade.

learn.microsoft.com