Is is possible to run 2008 R2 and 2012 SP1 instances in the same cluster?

  • Hello,

    We have a three node 2012 enterprise cluster currently running several 2012 instances.

    Is it recommended to run a 2008 R2 instance in the same cluster?

    Thanks.

    R.

  • No. You can have multiple clusters on shared hardware, but you can't put different versions of SQL Server into the same cluster.

    "The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
    - Theodore Roosevelt

    Author of:
    SQL Server Execution Plans
    SQL Server Query Performance Tuning

  • For DR purposes we have a 2008R2 (OS) cluster set up with multiple 2008, a 2008R2, and a few 2005 instances configured.

  • Thanks for the reply.

    So I can create a new cluster on the same hardware, but as a 2008 R2 instance.

    R.

  • You can. I haven't done it myself, so I can't offer advice. But it's absolutely doable.

    "The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
    - Theodore Roosevelt

    Author of:
    SQL Server Execution Plans
    SQL Server Query Performance Tuning

  • You will need to add new cluster disks for any new instances (for data/log/tempdb) as they cannot share with an existing instance. The SqlServer installation binaries\etc will install on the local disks. Clustered storage is the only real holdup assuming the physical hosts aren't over worked.

  • Richard Bates (7/7/2014)


    Hello,

    We have a three node 2012 enterprise cluster currently running several 2012 instances.

    Is it recommended to run a 2008 R2 instance in the same cluster?

    Thanks.

    R.

    Yes you can have different versions of sql server clustered instances in the same cluster. SQL Server 2008 R2 supports Windows server 2012 OS. Ideally the oldest version of SQL Server should be installed first.

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    "Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉

  • Great. Thanks for all the replies. 🙂

  • Just out of interest, why would it be best to install the oldest instance version first?

  • Richard Bates (7/7/2014)


    Just out of interest, why would it be best to install the oldest instance version first?

    It was really only an issue with systems that had sql server 2000 installed.

    The installer for each version places shared components onto the drive. If you install a new version then an older it could overwrite shared bins with older versions

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    "Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉

  • Great. Thanks for your help. 🙂

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