Preparing to Upgrade the Cluster

  • Article

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Network Load Balancing runs independently of other networking services provided by Windows Server 2003. On the other hand, the applications and services running on the cluster can be dependent upon the network infrastructure and other network services in your existing environment. Prior to upgrading the existing cluster, deploy any network infrastructure components or networking services that are required by the applications and services running on the cluster.

Prepare to upgrade the cluster by performing the following tasks:

  1. Verify that applications and services running on the cluster are compatible with Windows Server 2003.

  2. Upgrade the network infrastructure as required by the applications and services running on the cluster.

  3. Upgrade any networking services as required by the applications and services running on the cluster.

Verifying Applications and Services Are Compatible with Windows Server 2003

Before you upgrade the existing cluster, ensure that the applications and services running on the cluster are compatible with Windows Server 2003. For help in determining if your application is compatible with Windows Server 2003, use the Windows Application Compatibility Toolkit. To download the toolkit, see the Windows Application Compatibility link on the Web Resources page at https://www.microsoft.com/reskits/webresources.

Upgrading Necessary Network Infrastructure

Before you upgrade the existing cluster, ensure that the final configuration of the cluster can be supported by the network infrastructure that connects the cluster to client computers, to other servers within your organization, and to management consoles. Perform only the network infrastructure upgrades required by the applications and services running on the cluster. Avoid performing upgrades to the network infrastructure for other reasons at the same time that you are upgrading the cluster. This minimizes the number of changes to the environment and reduces the likelihood of problems occurring during the upgrade process.

The network infrastructure to upgrade includes the following components:

  • Network cabling

  • Hubs

  • Switches

  • Routers

  • Firewalls

Note

  • When performing this step, make sure to have specifications about your current network environment available for use. Specifically, your hardware and software inventory, and a map of network topology can be helpful. For more information about creating those documents, see "Planning for Deployment" in Planning, Testing, and Piloting Deployment Projects of this kit.

Upgrading Any Required Networking Services

Network Load Balancing is independent of the other Windows Server 2003 network services. As a result, no networking services upgrades are required for Network Load Balancing.

However, the applications and services running on the cluster can be dependent on other Windows Server 2003 networking services. For more information about requirements that the services and applications running on the cluster might have for upgrading networking services, see "Additional Resources for Deploying Network Load Balancing" later in this chapter.