Upgrades happen. Sometimes because business needs dictate them. Sometimes because IT requirements force them. Whether the SQL Server upgrade is just a patch or a full on major upgrade, the risk involved can strike fear into the heart of the database team. The fear even causes some to hold off on upgrades, which can deprive your business of much needed bug fixes or new functionality.
So, how can you implement an upgrade in the best possible way? We convened a Twitter chat recently on upgrades with Argenis Fernandez (@DBArgenis) and Tom LaRock (@SQLRockStar). Five key tips emerged from the enthusiastic discussion:
- Have a plan
- Test the plan, repeatedly
- Have a plan for rollbacks
- Understand complexities
- Involve the business stakeholders
You can read the full Twitter chat transcript here.
Tip 1: Have a Plan for the Upgrade—No Excuses!
Without appropriate preparation, you risk firefighting mode, as @DBArgenis points out:
Among other considerations, you should extend your planning to include other necessary upgrades. For example, @JDanton points out that, in his opinion, you should always be installing upgrades on the latest version of Windows:
Tip 2: Test the Upgrade Plan–Repeatedly!
According to @DBArgenis and @SQLRockStar, database mirroring is the easiest way to perform a high-availability upgrade, but easy doesn’t negate the need for testing, as @MrDenny again underscored:
Planning, and then testing that plan, several times, is critical. And @tameraclark agrees:
A fatal mistake for many is making the assumption that a plan, being a plan, will just work, as @SQLHA pointed out:
@LawrenceGarvin reiterated the need to test the plan:
Tip 3: Have a Plan for Rollbacks if Needed
Even with planning and testing, upgrades do not always go as planned—and you can’t always account for every scenario. So you must always have a plan to rollback, as @SQLRockstar points out:
This point is so critical, it was restated by many particpants, including @DBArgenis:
Tip 4: Understand Complexities
Among the more complex rolling upgrade solutions, @DBArgenis noted that Avaiability Groups pose significant issues, and advised that you must be careful of which replica you upgrade at the time:
@JDanton agreed:
@SQLRockStar added that upgrades involving failover clustering can be more costly and complex:
Tip 5: Involve the Business Stakeholders
Finally, it may seem tempting to exclude the business from upgrade plans that are initiated by IT for IT reasons, but DBABullDog points out that keeping the business stakeholders involved in the entire upgrade process helps mitigate risk:
Conclusion
SQL Server upgrades offer the benefit of bug fixes and new functionality. That being said, taking advantage of all the updgrades offer is not a simple task. You must plan. You must test. You must prepare to rollback if something goes wrong. You must work to truly understand the complexities of your particular environment. And you must make sure to include all the stakeholders in an upgrade process, including the business team. Paying attention to each of these tips will help you mitigate the risks involved and deliver the true benefits of the upgrade to your end users.
Read the full datachat transcript here
| Handle | Tweet |
| SWI_Database | Let’s get started…. #datachat Q1 coming right up. |
| DBArgenis | RT @SWI_Database: Let’s get started…. #datachat Q1 coming right up. |
| SQLRockstar | RT @SWI_Database: Let’s get started…. #datachat Q1 coming right up. |
| SWI_Database | Q1: Who typically decides how and when server or application upgrades are performed? #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @SWI_Database: Q1: Who typically decides how and when server or application upgrades are performed? #datachat |
| mrdenny | @SWI_Database could be the business, IT, DBA, etc. Depends on why the upgrade needs to be done. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@SWI_Database A1: The business decides when, and IT decides how (usually). #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SWI_Database typically there are multiple actors involved. From my experience, they are driven by a business need #datachat |
| GarethSwan | RT @SQLRockstar: @DBArgenis BTW, you are one of the folks that convinced me to earn my #MCM4LIFE, thank you for that good sir. #datachat |
| SQLSoldier | @mrdenny @SWI_Database All of the above, to some degree. #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SWI_Database rather than technical factors 2/2 #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@SWI_Database A1: But I’ve also seen IT decide some upgrades are necessary, and force the business to agree. #datachat |
| patrick_luther | @DBArgenis @SWI_Database #datachatIs an upgrade considered the same thing as a simple patch? |
| SQLRockstar | RT @patrick_luther: @DBArgenis @SWI_Database #datachatIs an upgrade considered the same thing as a simple patch? |
| DBArgenis | @SQLRockstar @SWI_Database A1: I absolutely agree there. Some upgrades are driven by pure technical debt. #datachat |
| SWI_Database | RT @mrdenny: @SWI_Database could be the business, IT, DBA, etc. Depends on why the upgrade needs to be done. #datachat |
| SWI_Database | RT @DBArgenis: @SWI_Database typically there are multiple actors involved. From my experience, they are driven by a business need #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @patrick_luther @SWI_Database I consider anything that increases the #SQLServer build number to be an upgrade. 1/2 #datachat |
| SWI_Database | RT @patrick_luther: @DBArgenis @SWI_Database #datachatIs an upgrade considered the same thing as a simple patch? |
| DBArgenis | @patrick_luther @SWI_Database it might not seem a big deal, but every change in engine bits can make a big difference #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@patrick_luther @DBArgenis @SWI_Database I’d say “yes”, as a patch should be moving you forward, not backwards. #datachat |
| patrick_luther | @DBArgenis @SWI_Database Thanks for the clarification. There was a lot of talk about this particular subj. this week #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @patrick_luther @SWI_Database most folks don’t test when rolling Cumulative Updates. Plan regressions can be a pain to 1/2 #datachat |
| Eshbaugh | @SWI_Database A1 sometimes third party applications will dictate an upgrade #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @patrick_luther @SWI_Database deal with after you have deployed to prod…I hate putting out fires created by lack of testing #datachat |
| SWI_Database | Q2: For beginning admins, what would you recommend as a rolling upgrade solution and why? #datachat |
| SWI_Database | @Eshbaugh Welcome back Jerry! #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SWI_Database honestly, I think Database Mirroring is the easiest way to perform a HA upgrade – even though it’s been deprecated #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @Eshbaugh: @SWI_Database A1 sometimes third party applications will dictate an upgrade #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @SWI_Database: Q2: For beginning admins, what would you recommend as a rolling upgrade solution and why? #datachat |
| SWI_Database | RT @tameraclark: @SWI_Database practice, practice, practice that is what all those non-prod tiers are for #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SWI_Database you would think that Mirroring is hard to setup, but it’s actually not. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@SWI_Database Q2: I’d go with database mirroring as the easiest. #datachat |
| mrdenny | @DBArgenis @SWI_Database A2: I agree with Argenis, mirroring makes it really easy and safe. But start in Dev, then QA then Prod. #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SWI_Database When I run into issues with Mirroring I just search for @SQLSoldier’s blog #datachat |
| redi311 | RT @SQLRockstar: @DBArgenis BTW, you are one of the folks that convinced me to earn my #MCM4LIFE, thank you for that good sir. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@DBArgenis @SWI_Database Well, it *used* to be, because the SQL 2005 GUI didn’t work and you had to script it all out. #datachat |
| SWI_Database | RT @mrdenny: @DBArgenis @SWI_Database A2: I agree with Argenis, mirroring makes it really easy and safe. But start in Dev, then QA then Pro… |
| DBArgenis | @mrdenny practice, practice, practice! #datachat |
| mrdenny | @DBArgenis yep, there’s no such thing as to many practice upgrades before doing production. #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SQLRockstar @SWI_Database well, if you remember Mirroring wasn’t introduced until 2005 SP1 (!) – a major feature shipped with SP1 #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SQLRockstar @SWI_Database it was sort of still half baked on 2005 SP1, even. #datachat |
| AirborneGeek | @mrdenny @DBArgenis @SWI_Database Both to practice the upgrade and to make sure nothing screwball happens b/c of the patch #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@DBArgenis @SWI_Database Exactly, even after SP1 I found the GUI still had issues. Scripting worked though. #datachat |
| mrdenny | @DBArgenis @SQLRockstar @SWI_Database don’t remind me of SQL 2005, client this week has a 2005 server. #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @mrdenny however, due to marvelous DATA DUPLICATION, Mirroring offers a plausible plan of rolling back. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@mrdenny @DBArgenis @SWI_Database Sounds like a good opportunity to raise your rates. #datachat |
| DBArgenis | . @mrdenny I talk about that A LOT on my “Rolling Upgrades” talk that I’ll be doing for @SWI_Database next week #datachat |
| SWI_Database | @AirborneGeek Welcome back Kerry! #datachat |
| SWI_Database | RT @lutef1sk: @mrdenny @DBArgenis @SQLRockstar @SWI_Database lemme guess, they want to upgrade to 2008? #datachat |
| mrdenny | @SWI_Database @lutef1sk @DBArgenis @SQLRockstar sadly this isn’t an upgrade project. #datachat |
| SWI_Database | RT @SirWill: @SWI_Database RE Q2: How about going from 1 SQL 2008 Standard to new 2012 Enterprise AG cluster? #datachat |
| DBArgenis | By the way, @SWI_Database and @SQLRockstar, thanks for having me again at #datachat – it’s truly an honor to drink and tweet with you 🙂 |
| SQLRockstar | RT @DBArgenis: By the way, @SWI_Database and @SQLRockstar, thanks for having me again at #datachat – it’s truly an honor to drink and tweet… |
| DBArgenis | @SWI_Database @SirWill well, you have many ways to get there. My recommendation is: log ship first, then move onto Mirroring #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SWI_Database @SirWill then failover to 2012, then take backups and create your AG #datachat |
| SWI_Database | Q4: If log shipping were an actor/actress, who would it be and why? #datachat |
| SWI_Database | Q3: Which rolling upgrade solution has the most complexity and why? #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @SWI_Database: Q3: Which rolling upgrade solution has the most complexity and why? #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SWI_Database Availability Groups, bar none. You need to be careful of which replica you upgrade at the time. #datachat |
| jdanton | @SWI_Database a3: I’m gonna leave SQL Server for a minute and go with Oracle RAC. Oy. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@SWI_Database Availability Groups, or Failover Clustering, no question. More complex, more costs, etc. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @jdanton: @SWI_Database a3: I’m gonna leave SQL Server for a minute and go with Oracle RAC. Oy. #datachat |
| Eshbaugh | @mrdenny channge your rates! #SQLServer 2008R2 -> 2014:$200/hour, 2005:$400/hour, 2000:$800 / hour and watch them upgrade fast! #datachat |
| YlberAponte | RT @SQLRockstar: .@SWI_Database Availability Groups, or Failover Clustering, no question. More complex, more costs, etc. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@jdanton @SWI_Database Why RAC? Just the cost? #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @Eshbaugh: @mrdenny channge your rates! #SQLServer 2008R2 -> 2014:$200/hour, 2005:$400/hour, 2000:$800 / hour and watch them upgrade fas… |
| jdanton | @SQLRockstar @SWI_Database It’s just a lot more complex. SQL rel easy–patch inactive, failover, patch formerly actiive, failback #datachat |
| SirWill | @DBArgenis @SWI_Database restore, reconfigured apps, turned apps back on. about 5 minutes down time 500GB database. #datachat |
| jdanton | @DBArgenis I just don’t find SQL rolling upgrades to be that hard. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@jdanton @SWI_Database I was told RACs were easy though, just point and click? #datachat |
| jdanton | @SQLRockstar @SWI_Database I’d ROTF and LMAO, but I’m in an airport lounge and the floor is kind of dirty. #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SirWill @SWI_Database that’s interesting. I’ve done that same exact Mirroring setup, no issues. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@jdanton @SWI_Database Puh-lease, I’ve seen you on many an airport lounge floor, just not laughing. #datachat |
| sqlstudent144 | Question: How often do you see companies “upgrading” to versions multiple years out of date? (2008 R2 for example) #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SQLRockstar @jdanton @SWI_Database true story, just replace “airport” with “a big corporation’s HQ” #datachat |
| jdanton | .@SWI_Database In SQL though, I’d go with AGs. Was at a client today because they had issues with reboot order for updates #datachat |
| mrdenny | @sqlstudent144 just upgraded a client from 2005 to 2008 R2 this year. Happens all the time. Usually 3rd party apps .#datachat |
| SQLHA | @jdanton @SWI_Database Reboot + quorum = fun #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@sqlstudent144 It happens, but in my experience we were forced to stay no more than 1 major version behind. #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @sqlstudent144 all the time. It’s the rule, not the exception. #datachat |
| SQLHA | @SQLRockstar @sqlstudent144 Happens more than you think, usually app related. Or IT departments that move at a glacial pace. #datachat |
| mrdenny | @DBArgenis @sqlstudent144 @SQLRockstar we’ve now given all 3 answers in 45 seconds. #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @sqlstudent144 and with #SQLServer’s new, more aggresive release schedule, I see more and more people not upgrading as fast. #datachat |
| sqlstudent144 | @SQLHA @SQLRockstar Glad to hear it. We are being forced to stick with R2 on almost half our servers due to DTS #datachat |
| LawrenceGarvin | @sqlstudent144 4sure. In ’08 I finished a 2 yr upg project to SQL’05. And now there’s 4 new SQLs since then. Hope they kept up! #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @sqlstudent144: @SQLHA @SQLRockstar Glad to hear it. We are being forced to stick with R2 on almost half our servers due to DTS #datachat |
| jdanton | It’s always a bad sign when you walk into a shop and see the XP screensaver. #datachat |
| DBArgenis | There are too many CIOs with a “if it works, don’t upgrade it” mentality out there #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@sqlstudent144 @SQLHA Is that a 3rd party app? #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @LawrenceGarvin: @sqlstudent144 4sure. In ’08 I finished a 2 yr upg project to SQL’05. And now there’s 4 new SQLs since then. Hope they … |
| SQLRockstar | .@LawrenceGarvin @sqlstudent144 I hope they kept your number, and you’ve increased your rates. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @jdanton: It’s always a bad sign when you walk into a shop and see the XP screensaver. #datachat |
| SQLHA | @DBArgenis And then they realize how screwed they are 5 years later #datachat |
| Eshbaugh | RT @DBArgenis: There are too many CIOs with a “if it works, don’t upgrade it” mentality out there #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@jdanton You say “bad”, and I say “opportunity”. #datachat |
| SWI_Database | @SQLHA Welcome back Allan. Tom was wondering if you might be late joining us #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SQLHA it’s called technical debt. Don’t pay it quickly, and compound technical interest is against you #datachat |
| sqlstudent144 | . @SQLRockstar @SQLHA Pre SSIS legacy DTS that no one will upgrade despite years of me “mentioning” it. #datachat |
| jdanton | @SQLRockstar there are good projects and there are bad projects. I’d rather do the good ones. But if the money is green. #datachat |
| SQLHA | @SQLRockstar @jdanton Opportunity, yes. But pain for everyone including those who would be helping. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@SQLHA @DBArgenis The problem is they *aren’t* screwed, because they’ve moved on by then. #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SQLRockstar @jdanton yeah, that’s a consultant’s dream come true. Especially if scope = security 🙂 #datachat |
| SQLHA | RT @DBArgenis: @SQLHA it’s called technical debt. Don’t pay it quickly, and compound technical interest is against you #datachat |
| DBABullDog | @SWI_Database Q3 if all DBs in rolling upgrade require i, u, d & reads solution becomes more complex. Our data is out business. #datachat |
| SWI_Database | now the real Q4: If log shipping were an actor/actress, who would it be and why? #datachat |
| LawrenceGarvin | @DBArgenis This mentality is not exclusive to database servers either!!! #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @SWI_Database: now the real Q4: If log shipping were an actor/actress, who would it be and why? #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SWI_Database why Emily Blunt, of course. Most underrated actress ever. She’s kinda awesome 🙂 #datachat |
| SQLHA | @SWI_Database They are complex. FCIs arguably the most with multiple instances on a single WSFC. #datachat |
| SWI_Database | 🙂 RT @SQLHA: @SWI_Database Was out to dinner with a friend. Need to escape the laptop every now and then. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@SWI_Database A4: Matthew McConaughey. You don’t think he’s got the goods, but he always gets the job done. #datachat |
| SQLHA | @SWI_Database They are all complex. FCIs arguably the most with multiple instances on a single WSFC. #datachat |
| SWI_Database | @LawrenceGarvin Welcome back Lawrence! #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SQLRockstar alright, alright, alright #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @DBArgenis: @SQLRockstar alright, alright, alright #datachat |
| jdanton | @SWI_Database @SQLRockstar a4: Meryl Streep. The best supporting actress ever. #datachat |
| LawrenceGarvin | @SWI_Database A4: wow… could be the challenging Q of the day. Betty White.. cuz it’s just that old. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @jdanton: @SWI_Database @SQLRockstar a4: Meryl Streep. The best supporting actress ever. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @DBArgenis: @SWI_Database why Emily Blunt, of course. Most underrated actress ever. She’s kinda awesome 🙂 #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @LawrenceGarvin: @SWI_Database A4: wow… could be the challenging Q of the day. Betty White.. cuz it’s just that old. #datachat |
| Eshbaugh | @jdanton @SQLRockstar I have made a lot more money on bad projects than good, but a bad client has never been worth the money. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @Eshbaugh: @jdanton @SQLRockstar I have made a lot more money on bad projects than good, but a bad client has never been worth the mo… |
| SWI_Database | RT @LawrenceGarvin: @SWI_Database A4: wow… could be the challenging Q of the day. Betty White.. cuz it’s just that old. #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @LawrenceGarvin oldie but goodie! #datachat |
| SQLHA | @SWI_Database @SQLRockstar I think log shipping is Clint Howard. That guy in every movie you remember w bit part, totally solid. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | @DBArgenis Don’t forget his performance in Sahara, either. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @SQLHA: @SWI_Database @SQLRockstar I think log shipping is Clint Howard. That guy in every movie you remember w bit part, totally solid.… |
| LawrenceGarvin | @SWI_Database Thanks! Sorry I was late to the party. Got distracted. #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SQLRockstar now you’re making me want to go watch Interstellar. #datachat |
| SQLHA | @SQLRockstar @SWI_Database And like log shipping, he’s always got work. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @SQLHA: @SQLRockstar @SWI_Database And like log shipping, he’s always got work. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@SQLHA @SWI_Database And drives a Lincoln, but not because they’re cool. #datachat |
| SQLHA | @SQLRockstar @SWI_Database I was talking about Clint Howard, not Matthew. #datachat |
| LawrenceGarvin | @SQLRockstar @SQLHA @SWI_Database AND.. drives it in #AUSTIN 🙂 #datachat |
| patrick_luther | @SQLRockstar @SQLHA @SWI_Database While rolling boogers in his fingers#datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SQLRockstar @SQLHA @SWI_Database let’s face it. He drives a Lincoln because he GOT PAID!!! #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @patrick_luther: @SQLRockstar @SQLHA @SWI_Database While rolling boogers in his fingers#datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @DBArgenis: @SQLRockstar @SQLHA @SWI_Database let’s face it. He drives a Lincoln because he GOT PAID!!! #datachat |
| LawrenceGarvin | @DBArgenis @SQLRockstar @neiltyson Pshaw.. NT is a cynic. #datachat. I’ve lost all faith in his opinions. |
| SWI_Database | Q5: What are some common mistakes when it comes to rolling upgrades? #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @jdanton @SQLRockstar @SQLHA @SWI_Database yep. I’ll use Enterprise Manager, sure…but for a fee. #datachat |
| wnylibrarian | RT @jdanton: It’s always a bad sign when you walk into a shop and see the XP screensaver. #datachat |
| jdanton | @DBArgenis @SQLRockstar @SQLHA @SWI_Database I even have an Access rate. #datachat |
| LawrenceGarvin | @SWI_Database A5.. Not having a written and TESTED plan! #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SWI_Database NOT HAVING A PLAYBOOK! You need to be PREPARED for GOOD outcomes as well as when something goes WRONG #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@DBArgenis @jdanton @SQLHA @SWI_Database See, I give the first touch of EM for free, but the 2nd one I charge. #datachat |
| SQLHA | @SWI_Database Not thinking through the failover/failure situations, not testing the process, and assuming it will just work. #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SQLRockstar @jdanton @SQLHA @SWI_Database you #sqlcrackdealer #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @SWI_Database: Q5: What are some common mistakes when it comes to rolling upgrades? #datachat |
| SQLHA | @SWI_Database And if using a cluster, understanding quorum. #datachat |
| shirleman | RT @SWI_Database: Q5: What are some common mistakes when it comes to rolling upgrades? #datachat |
| mrdenny | @SWI_Database A5: Not planning for failure! #datachat |
| jdanton | @SWI_Database a5: being on an older version of windows that doesn’t support cluster aware updating. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@SWI_Database A5: Not having a rollback plan. Too many times I’ve seen the “we can’t roll back” excuse. #datachat |
| mrdenny | @SQLRockstar you’re learning. #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SWI_Database I emphasize that you need to understand what to do if you need to rollback. Have scripts ready! #datachat |
| SWI_Database | RT @DBArgenis: @SWI_Database I emphasize that you need to understand what to do if you need to rollback. Have scripts ready! #datachat |
| jdanton | Pro tip: Always install SQL on the latest version of Windows. If your ISV tells you it needs to on an older version-they’re lying. #datachat |
| SWI_Database | RT @jdanton: Pro tip: Always install SQL on the latest version of Windows. If your ISV tells you it needs to on an older version-they’re ly… |
| LawrenceGarvin | @jdanton Or they haven’t actually tested their own product… <sigh> #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @jdanton I would add “as long as that version of Windows Server has a start button!” LOL #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@DBArgenis @SQLHA @jdanton @SWI_Database Don’t be dissin’ the QA, that’s Gert’s baby! #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @LawrenceGarvin: @jdanton Or they haven’t actually tested their own product… <sigh> #datachat |
| SQLHA | @DBArgenis @jdanton That’s what Server Core is for 😛 #datachat |
| SWI_Database | RT @mike_walsh @SWI_Database Chuck Norris. Sort of rugged, ugly, been around.. But good at what he’s typecast for & always around #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SQLRockstar @SQLHA @jdanton @SWI_Database Gert doesn’t care anymore 🙂 #datachat |
| DBABullDog | @SWI_Database A5 not having the business involved in the upgrade validating thru entire process. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @DBABullDog: @SWI_Database A5 not having the business involved in the upgrade validating thru entire process. #datachat |
| mike_walsh | RT @jdanton: Pro tip: Always install SQL on the latest version of Windows. If your ISV tells you it needs to on an older version-they’re ly… |
| SQLHA | @SQLRockstar @DBArgenis @jdanton @SWI_Database The old tools really did just work. Then they had to go F it up with .NET. 😉 #datachat |
| SQLHA | @jdanton @mike_walsh Well, latest supported version of Windows for that version of SQL Server 🙂 #datachat |
| SWI_Database | RT @DBABullDog: @SWI_Database A5 not having the business involved in the upgrade validating thru entire process. #datachat |
| mike_walsh | RT @SQLHA: @jdanton @mike_walsh Well, latest supported version of Windows for that version of SQL Server 🙂 #datachat |
| SWI_Database | Q6: Does virtualization make architecting a rolling upgrade solution easier, or harder? #datachat |
| LawrenceGarvin | Did my Tweetdeck break? #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @SWI_Database: Q6: Does virtualization make architecting a rolling upgrade solution easier, or harder? #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @LawrenceGarvin we copy you #datachat |
| mrdenny | @SWI_Database A6: No difference. It’s all the same physical or virtual. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | @LawrenceGarvin Yes. #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SWI_Database well, IT DEPENDS. Some failover maneuvers can be finnicky when dealing with virtualized servers #datachat |
| SQLHA | @SWI_Database @SQLRockstar You still need to deal with in guest. Unless you’re just upgrading the hypervisor, SSDD. #datachat |
| jdanton | .@SWI_Database I’d say neutral. You have the ability to snapshot, but lose failover clustering at SQL level. #datachat |
| LawrenceGarvin | @SWI_Database A6. Gotta be easier. For one, rollback via snapshots. Two, because VM gives you better testing ops. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@SWI_Database A6: It makes some solutions, like clustering, harder. You need to understand the tech. #datachat |
| SWI_Database | RT @LawrenceGarvin: @SWI_Database A6. Gotta be easier. For one, rollback via snapshots. Two, because VM gives you better testing ops. #data… |
| mike_walsh | @SWI_Database yes. #datachat.. With fools running the VM side? Harder.. Good vm folks? Different story. |
| SQLHA | @LawrenceGarvin @SWI_Database Snapshots are a tricky subject with SQL VMs … #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @SQLHA: @LawrenceGarvin @SWI_Database Snapshots are a tricky subject with SQL VMs … #datachat |
| sqlstudent144 | @mrdenny @SWI_Database We’ve used virtual to make copies & test upgrades. Can make life much easier. #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SQLHA @LawrenceGarvin @SWI_Database very much so #datachat |
| LawrenceGarvin | @SQLHA @SWI_Database Yes, they are. #datachat |
| mike_walsh | RT @mrdenny: @SWI_Database A6: No difference. It’s all the same physical or virtual. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@SQLHA @LawrenceGarvin @SWI_Database Yeah, snapshots are tricky because the term “snapshots” is overloaded. #datachat |
| DBArgenis | Virtualization is awesome, very awesome, except when it’s not. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @DBArgenis: Virtualization is awesome, very awesome, except when it’s not. #datachat |
| SQLHA | @SQLRockstar @LawrenceGarvin @SWI_Database No, in how MS supports them for VMs with SQL. Terminology a whole other issue. #datachat |
| DBArgenis | Now granted, nowadays a lot more systems can be fully virtualized – even Tier 1 workloads. That we can all agree on #datachat |
| tradney | RT @DBArgenis: Now granted, nowadays a lot more systems can be fully virtualized – even Tier 1 workloads. That we can all agree on #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@DBArgenis Agreed. #datachat |
| mike_walsh | RT @SQLRockstar: .@SQLHA @LawrenceGarvin @SWI_Database Yeah, snapshots are tricky because the term “snapshots” is overloaded. #datachat |
| SWI_Database | Wao. Thanks for another amazing #datachat…. Last Q tonigh: Q7: How could rolling upgrades have saved your bacon early in your career? |
| SQLHA | @SWI_Database I would say not as much – backups moreso, but rolling upgrades, meh. #datachat |
| SWI_Database | #insider RT @SQLHA: @SWI_Database Like the fact you rolled bacon in there 😉 #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SWI_Database I could have looked like a rockstar much earlier in my career 🙁 #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@GEEQL @SQLHA @LawrenceGarvin @SWI_Database Where? #datachat |
| SWI_Database | RT @jdanton: .@DBArgenis @SWI_Database Earlier in my career I didn’t have enough pull to get HA. #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @jdanton the thing with HA is that once you demo it properly configured, it sells itself. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @SWI_Database: Wao. Thanks for another amazing #datachat…. Last Q tonigh: Q7: How could rolling upgrades have saved your bacon early i… |
| SQLHA | @DBArgenis @jdanton Until they ask how much it costs 🙂 #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SQLHA @jdanton well, y’know. It’s like a fancy car 🙂 #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@SWI_Database Q7: Easy – database mirroring or snapshots would have helped with each and every major deployment. #datachat |
| SQLHA | @DBArgenis @jdanton They really want the Porsche, but wind up with the Bug. Same auto group 🙂 #datachat |
| SWI_Database | RT @SQLRockstar: .@SWI_Database Q7: Easy – database mirroring or snapshots would have helped with each and every major deployment. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@SWI_Database Q7: Lots of times we got “stuck” and had to press forward and make things work. #datachat |
| SQLSoldier | RT @DBArgenis: @SWI_Database When I run into issues with Mirroring I just search for @SQLSoldier’s blog #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SQLRockstar yes, indeed. Mirroring would have made a lot of upgrades much, much simpler. cc/@SWI_Database #datachat |
| LawrenceGarvin | @SWI_Database A7. Maybe today. My only real ‘upgrade’ was ’00 to ’05 in ’08. Did it on 1 physical box over a weekend. God Bless Me #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @LawrenceGarvin: @SWI_Database A7. Maybe today. My only real ‘upgrade’ was ’00 to ’05 in ’08. Did it on 1 physical box over a weekend. G… |
| SWI_Database | RT @LawrenceGarvin: @SWI_Database A7. Maybe today. My only real ‘upgrade’ was ’00 to ’05 in ’08. Did it on 1 physical box over a weekend. G… |
| SQLHA | @DBArgenis @SQLRockstar @SWI_Database I don’t know. Even back in the day, log shipping was very effective. #datachat |
| tradney | Who needs upgrades, SQL2000 is awesome #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @tradney: Who needs upgrades, SQL2000 is awesome #datachat |
| SQLSoldier | @SQLHA @DBArgenis @SQLRockstar @SWI_Database +1 for log shipping! #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @SQLSoldier: @SQLHA @DBArgenis @SQLRockstar @SWI_Database +1 for log shipping! #datachat |
| SQLHA | @SQLSoldier @SQLRockstar @DBArgenis @SWI_Database Like I said, Clint Howard. He’s just always there. #datachat |
| tradney | @jdanton @DBArgenis if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @tradney @jdanton unlike you, I believe if it’s unsupported it’s 100% broken. #datachat |
| SWI_Database | Another awesome #datachat tonight! Special thanks to @DBArgenis @SQLRockstar – Look for the follow up article and upcoming webinar. |
| DBArgenis | RT @SWI_Database: Another awesome #datachat tonight! Special thanks to @DBArgenis @SQLRockstar – Look for the follow up article and upcomin… |
| tradney | @DBArgenis @jdanton we all agree there. #datachat |
| Eshbaugh | RT @SWI_Database: Another awesome #datachat tonight! Special thanks to @DBArgenis @SQLRockstar – Look for the follow up article and upcomin… |
| SWI_Database | More about Rolling Upgrades for #SQLServer? Join 11/19 webinar w/ @DBArgenis & @SQLRockstar http://t.co/Dt3KhZrfKD #datachat |
| DBArgenis | RT @SWI_Database: More about Rolling Upgrades for #SQLServer? Join 11/19 webinar w/ @DBArgenis & @SQLRockstar http://t.co/Dt3KhZrfKD #data… |
| Eshbaugh | RT @SWI_Database: More about Rolling Upgrades for #SQLServer? Join 11/19 webinar w/ @DBArgenis & @SQLRockstar http://t.co/Dt3KhZrfKD #data… |
| DBArgenis | @SWI_Database @SQLRockstar I promise the demos are simple and awesome! #datachat |
| patrick_luther | @SWI_Database @DBArgenis @SQLRockstar Thanks!! Like most great discussions, I now have more questions to investigate. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | .@SWI_Database @DBArgenis #datachat http://t.co/WJygJPKNvq |
| kleegeek | RT @SWI_Database: More about Rolling Upgrades for #SQLServer? Join 11/19 webinar w/ @DBArgenis & @SQLRockstar http://t.co/Dt3KhZrfKD #data… |
| tradney | @DBArgenis @jdanton I know a company who rolled out Win7 with XP running on a VM on those PC’s. Talk about progress. #datachat |
| DBArgenis | RT @SQLRockstar: .@SWI_Database @DBArgenis #datachat http://t.co/WJygJPKNvq |
| SQLSoldier | @tradney @DBArgenis @jdanton Also, if you have to run it on an old compatibility level, it’s broken. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @SWI_Database: More about Rolling Upgrades for #SQLServer? Join 11/19 webinar w/ @DBArgenis & @SQLRockstar http://t.co/Dt3KhZrfKD #data… |
| SQLSoldier | RT @SWI_Database: Another awesome #datachat tonight! Special thanks to @DBArgenis @SQLRockstar – Look for the follow up article and upcomin… |
| SWI_Database | One more thing..we started #systchat 11/18 @ 7:30 PM CT Topic: IT Systems Monit Guest host @standaloneSA > http://t.co/DKUFlEQCP4 #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @SWI_Database: One more thing..we started #systchat 11/18 @ 7:30 PM CT Topic: IT Systems Monit Guest host @standaloneSA > http://t.co/DK… |
| tradney | @DBArgenis @jdanton do you consider extended support as still supported or only mainstream? SQL2005? #datachat |
| SWI_Database | One more thing..we started #syschat 11/18 @ 7:30 PM CT Topic: IT Systems Monit Guest host @standaloneSA > http://t.co/DKUFlEQCP4 #datachat |
| LawrenceGarvin | RT @SWI_Database: One more thing..we started #syschat 11/18 @ 7:30 PM CT Topic: IT Systems Monit Guest host @standaloneSA > http://t.co/DKU… |
| LawrenceGarvin | @tradney @DBArgenis @jdanton ExtSupp only gets SecUpdates. If you need CSS/PSS, then don’t exceed Mainstream dates. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @LawrenceGarvin: @tradney @DBArgenis @jdanton ExtSupp only gets SecUpdates. If you need CSS/PSS, then don’t exceed Mainstream dates. #da… |
| tradney | @DBArgenis @LawrenceGarvin @jdanton best to stay as current as possible but working with third party apps makes that tough. #datachat |
| jdanton | @tradney @DBArgenis @LawrenceGarvin I also think there’s a lack of guys in corp IT to push software vendors to adapt. #datachat |
| LawrenceGarvin | @jdanton @tradney @DBArgenis Absolutely AGREE!! #1 problem with ISVs is that customers won’t stand up for themselves! #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | Thanks to everyone for a great #datachat tonight. I’ll stick around for a bit if anyone has additional questions. |
| SWI_Database | #bacon RT @SQLRockstar: Thanks to everyone for a great #datachat tonight. I’ll stick around for a bit if anyone has additional questions. |
| SWI_Database | RT @DBArgenis: . @SQLRockstar I shall counter-attack: http://t.co/1wf4xI6xuy #datachat |
| kleegeek | RT @SWI_Database: RT @DBArgenis: . @SQLRockstar I shall counter-attack: http://t.co/1wf4xI6xuy #datachat |
| Vishal_BI | RT @SWI_Database: RT @DBArgenis: . @SQLRockstar I shall counter-attack: http://t.co/1wf4xI6xuy #datachat |
| LawrenceGarvin | Was late to the game, but always enjoy hanging with #datachat. See ya’ll next time! And don’t forget #syschat next week!! 🙂 |
| SQLRockstar | So, here’s a question that didn’t make it to #datachat tonight. Anyone want to see? It’s like a DVD extra. |
| LawrenceGarvin | @SQLRockstar Oh.. I love DVD extras….. gimme gimme! #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | Q7: If you could do a rolling upgrade to yourself, what would it be and why? #datachat |
| sql_handle | RT @LawrenceGarvin: @tradney @DBArgenis @jdanton ExtSupp only gets SecUpdates. If you need CSS/PSS, then don’t exceed Mainstream dates. #da… |
| TopWebiners | RT @SWI_Database: More about Rolling Upgrades for #SQLServer? Join 11/19 webinar w/ @DBArgenis & @SQLRockstar http://t.co/Dt3KhZrfKD #data… |
| SWI_Database | RT @SQLRockstar: Q7: If you could do a rolling upgrade to yourself, what would it be and why? #datachat . |
| LawrenceGarvin | @SQLRockstar I’d upgrade myself to a 36 hour waking day with 6 hrs of sleep so I could do 2x the work I do now. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @LawrenceGarvin: @SQLRockstar I’d upgrade myself to a 36 hour waking day with 6 hrs of sleep so I could do 2x the work I do now. #datach… |
| SWI_Database | RT @tameraclark: @SQLRockstar I would be 50 lbs lighter because I got rid of bloat ware #datachat |
| SQLHA | @SWI_Database @SQLRockstar I would try to not sweat things that I know long term won’t matter. Hard to do that in the moment. #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SQLRockstar can I upgrade myself to Tesla? The dude, not the car. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @DBArgenis: @SQLRockstar can I upgrade myself to Tesla? The dude, not the car. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @SQLHA: @SWI_Database @SQLRockstar I would try to not sweat things that I know long term won’t matter. Hard to do that in the moment. #d… |
| LawrenceGarvin | @SQLHA Great point Allan!!! #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | OK, last one… Q8: If your could do a rolling upgrade on Star Wars prequels, what would you do first and why? #datachat |
| yannr | RT @SQLRockstar: OK, last one… Q8: If your could do a rolling upgrade on Star Wars prequels, what would you do first and why? #datachat |
| DBArgenis | @SQLRockstar KILL EFFIN JAR JAR #datachat |
| SWI_Database | RT @SQLRockstar: OK, last one… Q8: If your could do a rolling upgrade on Star Wars prequels, what would you do first and why? #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @DBArgenis: @SQLRockstar KILL EFFIN JAR JAR #datachat |
| LawrenceGarvin | @SQLRockstar Uhhhh.. there were prequels? #datachat |
| SQLHA | @SQLRockstar @SWI_Database Make sure that George Lucas did not write the script. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @LawrenceGarvin: @SQLRockstar Uhhhh.. there were prequels? #datachat |
| lutef1sk | @SQLRockstar uninstall episode 1. Decommission server. No upgrade necessary. #datachat |
| SQLRockstar | RT @lutef1sk: @SQLRockstar uninstall episode 1. Decommission server. No upgrade necessary. #datachat |
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