Upgrading the Cluster

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

The upgrade of your existing cluster can be done one cluster host at a time (a rolling upgrade) or by taking the cluster offline to upgrade all the hosts at the same time (a nonrolling upgrade). It is recommended that you perform a rolling upgrade. Otherwise, perform the upgrade process recommended for the applications and services running on the cluster. For more information about the upgrade process for the applications and services running on your cluster, see "Additional Resources for Deploying Network Load Balancing" later in this chapter.

Determine if you can perform a rolling upgrade in your lab prior to your pilot or production deployments. If you can perform rolling upgrades, ensure that you perform the post-upgrade processes described in this section for each individual cluster host.

To perform a rolling upgrade on existing WLBS or Network Load Balancing clusters, complete the following tasks:

  1. Prevent clients from accessing the cluster host to be upgraded by performing a drainstop on the cluster host.

  2. Monitor client activity on the cluster host until all client activity ceases.

  3. Upgrade the cluster host.

  4. Verify that the applications and services are running correctly on the upgraded cluster host.

  5. Add the cluster host back to the cluster.

  6. Upgrade the remaining cluster hosts by performing steps 1 though 5 for each cluster host.