Upgrade linked server from 2008 R2 to 2016 SQL server - compatibility issue

  • Hello, 
    I have 2008 R2 SQL server, with a linked server setup, from one instance to another.
    The server is about to be upgraded to 2016 version, does the linked server need any upgrade, will it work with no actions, or does it need to be setup from the beginning?
    Thanks.

  • If you mean are there any "breaking changes" from SQL Server 2008R2 to SQL Server 2016? Yes, there are:
    SQL Server 2012: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/sql/sql-server-2012/ms143179(v=sql.110)
    SQL Server 2016: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/database-engine/breaking-changes-to-database-engine-features-in-sql-server-2016?view=sql-server-2017
    (There were no breaking changes in 2014)

    If you mean, does the Linked Server need to be upgraded as well, then no. Just because one server was upgraded doesn't mean the other does. I don't beleive there are any breaking changes regarding Linked Server's either (if there are, they'll be in the 2012, as there were far more in there than in 2016).

    Thom~

    Excuse my typos and sometimes awful grammar. My fingers work faster than my brain does.
    Larnu.uk

  • Thanks for the answer.
    In the past, I have faced issues at the linked server regarding the compatibility while upgrading SQL from 2005 to 2008 R2, that's why I am asking.
    Now I want to upgrade to 2016, and I would like to find out any known issues, for the specific issue.

  • Part of the upgrade process should be testing. You should be moving the database or databases in question in a non-production environment where you can validate whether or not your linked server will still work. Do this before you do the production move. Don't make the production move only to find the issues later. Make a move in a test environment right now, find the issues, if any, address them. Then you won't be dealing with surprises.

    "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

  • OK, so no known issues have been recorded on this.
    If so, any information would be helpful.

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