Checklist: Preparation for upgrading a cluster

Check that your hardware, including your cluster storage hardware, is compatible with Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition.

Be aware that geographically dispersed (majority node set) server clusters are built on a networking and storage infrastructure with characteristics that are very different than a standard quorum device server cluster, and, as such, are certified under a separate testing program. If you are considering converting your existing server cluster to a geographically dispersed server cluster, you must work with your hardware vendor to obtain a geographically dispersed server cluster configuration that has been certified by Microsoft.

For more information on majority node set server clusters, see Choosing a Cluster Model.

Hardware compatibility

Review concepts for upgrading cluster nodes, choose the method you will use, and review the instructions for the method you chose.

Caution

• If you are using any method other than a rolling upgrade (or a rolling upgrade with one or more resources offline), be sure to review and follow the instructions carefully to prevent corruption of the cluster storage. That is, for methods other than a rolling upgrade, be sure to complete the upgrade and start the Cluster service on one node before allowing another node to gain access to the cluster storage.
  
  

Concepts for installing and upgrading cluster nodes

How to upgrade cluster nodes

Review procedures for starting and running Setup.

Start Setup on an x86-based computer

Start Setup on an Itanium architecture-based computer

Start Setup on an x64-based computer