Reference Guide

Required Microsoft updates

9 Dell EMC XC Series Appliances and XC Core Systems Best Practices for Running Windows Server 2016 with

Hyper-V | A01

2 Required Microsoft updates

Microsoft suggest that all critical updates are applied and that all nodes in the cluster have matching updates.

2.1 Cluster Aware Updating feature

Cluster Aware Updating (CAU) is a Microsoft feature that enables automated rolling updates of clustered

servers. CAU transparently performs the following tasks for each node in sequence:

• Individually places each node of the cluster into node maintenance mode

• Moves the clustered roles off the node

• Installs the updates and any dependencies

• Performs any necessary restart

• Brings the node out of maintenance mode

• Restores the clustered roles on the node

• Moves to update the next node

The CAU feature is only compatible with Windows Server 2016, 2012r2, 2012 and clustered roles that are

supported on those versions.

For additional information about the Cluster Aware Updating feature, including overview, requirements, and

best practices, see Cluster-Aware Updating Overview

2.2 Mixed cluster recommendations

Windows 2012R2 and Windows 2016 clusters should not be mixed in the same cluster unless in the upgrade

process.

Mixed generation (13

and 14

generation) appliances can be in the same cluster after AOS version 5.1.3.

Mixed processor versions can be in the same cluster as long as the same processor type. For example, Intel

Processor compatibility mode must be enabled on every virtual machine for Live Migration to occur. This

lowers the virtual machine’s processor to the lowest version of processor. For more information, see:

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg299590.aspx