AZ-801 Question #168: Real Exam Question with Answer & Explanation

This question tests knowledge of the Windows Server Cluster Rolling Upgrade (CRU) process for a Storage Spaces Direct (S2D) cluster, which allows an in-place OS upgrade node-by-node while maintaining VM availability throughout.

Implement and manage Windows Server high availability

Question

You have a Windows Server 2019 Storage Spaces Direct cluster named Cluster1. Cluster1 has four nodes that contain virtual machines. You need to perform an in-place upgrade of Cluster1 to Windows Server 2022. The solution must ensure that the virtual machines are always available during the upgrade. In which order should you perform the actions? To answer, move all actions from the list to the answer area and arrange them in the correct order.

Explanation

Approach. The correct approach is a Cluster Rolling Upgrade performed in this order for each node: (1) Suspend/Drain the cluster node - this live-migrates all VMs off the node to remaining nodes, ensuring zero downtime; (2) Evict the node from the cluster - this safely removes it from the S2D pool; (3) Upgrade the node OS to Windows Server 2022 (in-place upgrade); (4) Re-add the node to the cluster and resume it, allowing VMs and storage to rebalance back. Repeat for every node. After all nodes are upgraded: (5) Update the cluster functional level using Update-ClusterFunctionalLevel, and finally (6) Update the storage pool version using Update-StoragePool. This sequence maintains a mixed-OS cluster temporarily (2019 + 2022 nodes coexist), which S2D and Failover Clustering support during the transition window.

Concept tested. Windows Server Cluster Rolling Upgrade (CRU) with Storage Spaces Direct - specifically the node-by-node drain, evict, upgrade, re-add, resume sequence, followed by cluster functional level and storage pool version updates to complete the upgrade.

Reference. Microsoft Docs: 'Cluster OS Rolling Upgrade' - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/cluster-operating-system-rolling-upgrade

Topics

#Storage Spaces Direct#Cluster OS Rolling Upgrade#High Availability#Windows Server Upgrade

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