Win 2k3 cluster with Win2k Advanced Node, possible?

[Guest]

I would like to have a Windows 2003 Enterprise Server create a cluster, and
have a Windows 2000 Advanced Server join that cluster. Is that possible?

 

[Mike Rosado [MSFT]]

Hi AH,

It's common for people to take a 2 node Windows 2000 Advance Server Cluster
and upgrade 1 node, wait a week or two to make sure it stable and then
upgrade the other. (personally I wouldn't go over a month). You could
probably have a Windows 2003 Enterprise Edition Cluster and have the Windows
2000 Advance Server node join the cluster, but I personally have not tried
it. However, as noted in the article below Microsoft does not recommend
that you run a cluster with mixed operating system versions on the nodes.
This is only allowed for a short period of time until both nodes are
completely upgraded.

288778 Maximum Number of Supported Nodes in a Cluster
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=288778

--
Hope this helps,
Mike Rosado
Windows 2000 MCSE + MCDBA
Microsoft Enterprise Platform Support
Windows NT/2000/2003 Cluster Technologies

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-----Original Message-----

 

[Guest]

Mike,

In that same article the following is stated:

"Microsoft only supports mixed-mode clusters that are one operating system
version apart. For example, you can run a Windows NT 4.0 node and a Windows
2000 node in the same cluster, or you can run a Windows 2000 node and a
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 node in the same cluster. Microsoft does not
support running a Windows NT 4.0 node and a Windows Server 2003 node in the
same cluster."

I plan on running a 2003 cluster with 1 2000 node. Sounds like MS supports
it to me. Thanks for the info again.

 

[Mike Rosado [MSFT]]

AH,

You can configure and install whatever OS version you please in mixed mode.
But once you encounter the first hint of trouble and you place a call to
Microsoft, there stands a very good chance you may be asked to upgrade the
Windows 2000 node to Windows 2003. Because mixed mode was only put in place
as a short term resolution until the rolling upgrade could be completed.

Due to the major binary differences between both OS, I would not recommended
you risk data in a production environment for whatever reason you may have.
Because there are several resource types differences between the two OS that
will not work at all in mixed mode. If this cluster is planning to simply
be a File & Print server cluster, then you may not see any problems in mixed
mode. If it's for economical reason, then leave both nodes in Windows 2000
to maintain high availability.

See excerpt from the referenced whitepaper listed below:

Server Clusters: Rolling Upgrades. Upgrading to Windows Server 2003
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/technologies/clustering/rllupnet.mspx

Cluster service guarantees that an up-level node can always join a cluster
formed by a down-level node. It also guarantees that resources can fail over
and fail back to and from a down-level node. However, it does not guarantee
that applications can also support rolling upgrades of the operating system.

--
Hope this helps,
Mike Rosado
Windows 2000 MCSE + MCDBA
Microsoft Enterprise Platform Support
Windows NT/2000/2003 Cluster Technologies

====================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
====================================================

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
<http://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyright.htm>

-----Original Message-----