20.3. Upgrading SQL Server Clustering
If your company is like most, it probably already has some older version SQL Server clusters in production. If so, you need to decide how to upgrade them to SQL Server 2008. Your available options include the following:
Don't upgrade.
Perform an in-place SQL Server 2008 upgrade.
Rebuild your cluster from scratch, and then install SQL Server 2008 clustering.
This section considers each of these options.
20.3.1. Don't Upgrade
This is an easy decision. Not upgrading is simple and doesn't cost anything. Just because a new version of SQL Server comes out doesn't mean you have to upgrade to it. If your current SQL Server cluster is running fine, why change it? You are just asking for potential new problems where you have none now, and you will have new costs.
On the other hand, if your current SQL Server cluster is not fine, you have the perfect reason to upgrade. SQL Server 2008 offers many new benefits, and they may solve the problems your current cluster is experiencing. However, don't automatically assume this is the case. Before you upgrade, do the research to determine whether the new features of SQL Server 2008 will actually resolve your problems. If not, sticking with what you know may be the best choice.
20.3.2. Upgrading Your SQL Server 2008 Cluster In-Place
Before we begin talking about how to upgrade a current cluster to a SQL Server 2008 cluster, we first need to discuss what operating system you are currently running. If you are on ...
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