Update-ClusterFunctionalLevel
Updates the functional level of a mixed-version cluster.
Syntax
Default (Default)
Update-ClusterFunctionalLevel
[-Force]
[-WhatIf]
[-InputObject <PSObject>]
[-Cluster <String>]
[<CommonParameters>]
Description
The Update-ClusterFunctionalLevel cmdlet updates the functional level of a mixed-version
cluster. You can update the cluster after all nodes have been updated.
Starting with Windows Server 2016, you can add a node that runs a more recent version of the Windows operating system (OS) into a cluster of nodes that run a previous version of the Windows OS.
After you add a node that runs a different version of the Windows OS, the cluster becomes a mixed-version cluster. You can implement a mixed-version cluster to continue to run while you upgrade the OS on each node in the cluster.
We recommend that you upgrade all nodes in the cluster within a month. We don't recommend using a mixed-version cluster permanently.
You can use this cmdlet to support a rolling OS upgrade for a cluster. If you use a cluster that runs Hyper-V in which all the nodes run Windows Server 2012 R2, you can upgrade the nodes of that cluster without downtime for your virtual machines.
Examples
Example 1: Test a possible update
Update-ClusterFunctionalLevel -WhatIf
This command tests whether an update would finish successfully. Because the command includes the WhatIf parameter, the command doesn't perform the update.
Example 2: Update a cluster functional level
Update-ClusterFunctionalLevel -Cluster "cluster_17"
This command updates the cluster functional level of the cluster named cluster_17. All of the
nodes of this cluster must already be updated before you run this command.
Example 3: Rolling OS upgrade of a cluster
First, drain one cluster node by specifying the Drain parameter of the Suspend-ClusterNode
cmdlet. This cmdlet causes all virtual machines to live-migrate to one of the other hosts.
Next, remove the host from the cluster by using the Remove-ClusterNode cmdlet.
Next, perform an in-place upgrade to install the new version of the OS. Note that a cluster can only be upgraded one OS version at a time, for example:
- Windows Server 2012 R2 to Windows Server 2016
- Windows Server 2016 to Windows Server 2019
- Windows Server 2019 to Windows Server 2022
- Windows Server 2022 to Windows Server 2025
Next, add the Hyper-V role and the Failover Clustering feature, if not already installed, by running the following command:
Install-WindowsFeature -Name Hyper-V -IncludeManagementTools
Install-WindowsFeature -Name Failover-Clustering -IncludeManagementTools
Finally, add the node into the cluster by using the Add-ClusterNode cmdlet.
Repeat these steps for each node in the cluster.
Parameters
-Cluster
Specifies the name of the cluster on which to run this cmdlet. If the input for this parameter is
. or it's omitted, then the cmdlet runs on the local cluster.
Parameter properties
| Type: | String |
| Default value: | None |
| Supports wildcards: | False |
| DontShow: | False |
Parameter sets
(All)
| Position: | Named |
| Mandatory: | False |
| Value from pipeline: | False |
| Value from pipeline by property name: | False |
| Value from remaining arguments: | False |
-Force
Forces the command to run without asking for user confirmation.
Parameter properties
| Type: | SwitchParameter |
| Default value: | None |
| Supports wildcards: | False |
| DontShow: | False |
Parameter sets
(All)
| Position: | Named |
| Mandatory: | False |
| Value from pipeline: | False |
| Value from pipeline by property name: | False |
| Value from remaining arguments: | False |
-InputObject
Specifies the input to this cmdlet. You can use this parameter, or you can pipe the input to this cmdlet.
Parameter properties
| Type: | PSObject |
| Default value: | None |
| Supports wildcards: | False |
| DontShow: | False |
Parameter sets
(All)
| Position: | Named |
| Mandatory: | False |
| Value from pipeline: | True |
| Value from pipeline by property name: | False |
| Value from remaining arguments: | False |
-WhatIf
Shows what would happen if the cmdlet runs. The cmdlet isn't run.
Parameter properties
| Type: | SwitchParameter |
| Default value: | None |
| Supports wildcards: | False |
| DontShow: | False |
Parameter sets
(All)
| Position: | Named |
| Mandatory: | False |
| Value from pipeline: | False |
| Value from pipeline by property name: | False |
| Value from remaining arguments: | False |
CommonParameters
This cmdlet supports the common parameters: -Debug, -ErrorAction, -ErrorVariable, -InformationAction, -InformationVariable, -OutBuffer, -OutVariable, -PipelineVariable, -ProgressAction, -Verbose, -WarningAction, and -WarningVariable. For more information, see about_CommonParameters.
Inputs
Microsoft.FailoverClusters.PowerShell.Cluster
This cmdlet accepts a Cluster. This cmdlet updates the functional level of this cluster.
Outputs
Microsoft.FailoverClusters.PowerShell.Cluster
This cmdlet returns a Cluster. This cmdlet updates the functional level of this cluster.
Notes
Once you update the cluster functional level using this cmdlet, the change is permanent and can't be reverted to a previous level.