MarkWalther asked a question.
Upgrade SNOW OS - In place or build new servers?
Our DataCenter Server team is asking me about upgrading the SNOW Server infrastructure. There are 2 options, in-place upgrade going to Windows Server 2019 or Build new Servers and move SNOW SI and SLM to them, 2022 OS.
Does anyone have a suggestion on the best option?
Thanks,
Hi Mark,
We are looking at the doing in-place upgrades as well. I spotted this answer in the forums:
Revathi (Community Member) asked a question.
02 March 2022 at 10:34
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Planning for Upgrade of OS platform in which the Snow platform hosted (from OS 2012 to OS 2019) & SQL DB
1)Any order to do upgrade OS,like first we need to upgrade database, then application and inventory server?
1)Any order to do upgrade OS,like first we need to upgrade database, then application and inventory server?
2)Backups if any.
3)approach/checklist to be considered, before and after upgradation OS etc.
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Hey Revathi,
Recommendation, do not upgrade the OS. Migrate Snow to a new server. Upgrading the Operating System isn't recommended by Microsoft and can cause massive amounts of pain if something doesn't work.
Obviously there's things you'd want to do beforehand, but that's the gist.
Laim
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by Laim (Community Member)
Is there a checklist/order of operation for this? Sounds like New Servers is the best option.
Agent path to phone home will need to change. OR name the server that same as old?
I am concerned about the SQL DB's. I am no SQL expert.
We are looking at doing the samething of going to SQL 2019 and Win 2022 for Servers on our existing VMs. I'm not finding much on the forums and may have to open a Snow ticket.
While you can do it as per the other forum links Snow will always say either use their Professional Services team to ensure it is done correctly and supportable afterwards or use one of the partners who has experience in doing or advising on these upgrades.
The most painful part of any migration is the SLM side of things and matching the applications versions on the new server to the old server to ensure DB schema's, tables, as SP's are all in alignment.
Hi @Mark E Walther
You can find guidance within the Snow Community, however, it is best to use a partner who has experience in this field and will be able to advise specifically on your setup what the best course of action would be.
Hello Mark
Until now, we have always recommended upgrading to a new server when upgrading Windows Server.
So far, our tests and those of some test-friendly customers have not yielded satisfactory results when it comes to an InPlace upgrade.
If it is only about an upgrade of the SQL Server, an InPlace upgrade usually works. (Make sure to create a backup in advance!)
If necessary, it is best to consult a local Snow Partner. He can help you in case of problems.
Snow is telling me we can do an in-place upgrade as long as we meet the minimum server requirements and proper professional support to not void Snow standard support. So, which is it? Migration or in-place?
I have never seen an in place upgrade be done without some for of issue being created.
The issue you may run in to is if you get a problem with the Snow application Snow Support will ask has anything changed recently and if you state you upgraded the OS/SQL versions in place they can potentially say well that is the cause so it's not a snow application issue and not support you.
Hi @Eddy Cheng ,
Just checking what you decided re the upgrade and how it went for you. We have the same task ahead, and SNOW confirmed there should be no issues with In-place upgrade.
Hi Maja,
We decided against doing a in-place upgrade and are doing a migration to new VM Servers. We will then rename the new VM Servers to back to the original and decommission the original Snow servers. We contracted with Snow to help us out on this project.