In our first post, we looked at how to identify the right time to upgrade your SQL Server. This post addresses the compatibility between operating systems and SQL Server versions required to upgrade.
There are currently about 89,000 installations of SQL Server 2008 running, just waiting to be upgraded to the latest version. And while upgrades can be complex, the absence of a common overlap between supported, mainstream operating systems and SQL Server versions can complicate things even further.
As of SQL Server 2016, the only available compatible operating system is a 64-bit platform. Because cross-platform upgrades aren’t supported, you can’t upgrade a 32-bit instance of SQL Server to a native 64-bit instance using the SQL Server Setup. That said, it is possible to do a backup and restore—or a detach and reattach—to a new SQL Server 64-bit instance, as long as you don’t publish the database during replication.
2008 to 2016: A Logical Step
Increased compatibility makes SQL Server 2016 a logical step on your upgrade path to the latest version of SQL Server. It’s an ideal stop mid-migration or for as long as your business needs call for it.
SQL Server 2016 supports upgrades from the following versions:
- SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 4 (SP4) or later
- SQL Server 2008 R2 SP3 or later
- SQL Server 2012 (11.x) SP2 or later
- SQL Server 2014 (12.x) or later
Upgrades are also easier when moving from instances of SQL Server 2012 (11.x), SQL Server 2014 (12.x), SQL Server 2016 (13.x), or SQL Server 2017 (14.x), which can be directly upgraded to SQL Server 2019 (15.x). However, you’ll still have to watch for certain things like ensuring you have .NET Framework 4.6 installed. If SQL Server is a mid-migration stepping stone on your way to SQL Server 2019—but you’re considering staying with 2016 for any production usage—make sure that you’ve installed all service packs. Review these import trace flags and updates that may help you meet your production requirements.
Before upgrading, review the list of compatible operating systems for SQL Server 2016.
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