Cluster Rolling Upgrade - 2012 R2 to 2019 in one step possible?

Question

_{Tuesday, October 9, 2018 3:12 AM}

The documentation on Rolling Cluster Upgrades on docs.microsoft.com (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/cluster-operating-system-rolling-upgrade) have not been updated to include Windows 2019 yet.  Will it be possible to perform a RCU from an n-2 Cluster Functional Level, or will this be restricted to n-1?  If other words, can I go directly from Windows 2012 R2 to 2019, or is it only 2012 R2 to 2016 or 2016 to 2019?

Thank you

Tim Reid

All replies (5)

_{Thursday, October 18, 2018 3:34 PM ✅Answered}

Hi Tim,

it seems that is not possible to upgrade directly a Failover Cluster 2012R2 to 2019

===================================
Note: that Cluster OS Rolling Upgrade can be used to upgrade Windows Server 2012 R2 Failover Clusters to Windows Server 2016 – but Windows Server 2012 R2 clusters cannot be directly upgraded to Windows Server 2019 while the cluster is running.

Reference: https://www.microsoft.com/upgradecenter/scenario/WS2012R2-on-prem-to-WS2019 

Other useful link: https://www.microsoft.com/upgradecenter 

Ciao ;)

Daniele

_{Thursday, October 18, 2018 6:23 PM ✅Answered | 1 vote}

2012R2 and 2016 nodes can run in the same Cluster as long as it is at the 2012R2 Cluster functional level.  2016 and 2019 hosts can run in the same cluster as long as it is at the 2016 Cluster functional level.  These are the only combinations you can have when there is a mix of OS's.

Thanks, John Marlin Microsoft Program Manager

_{Tuesday, October 9, 2018 6:31 AM}

Hi,

Since windows server 2019 has just released few days ago.There are no documents about windows server 2019 for now.

Please waiting for the update of articles.

Appreciate your support and patience.

Best Regards,

Frank

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_{Tuesday, October 23, 2018 1:32 AM}

Thanks Daniele and John.  I was afraid that would be the answer.  But I understand the rational and will just have to plan my upgrades accordingly.

Thanks

Tim Reid

_{Sunday, December 16, 2018 9:23 AM | 2 votes}

Another MS **** design.

Why bother about actual users of the product....

We do what we want, they have to use regardless. Such a total disrespect to admins