Upgrading from SQL Server 2016 to SQL Server 2014: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

In this article, we will explore the process of upgrading from Microsoft SQL Server 2016 to SQL Server 2014. We’ll delve into the requirements, limitations, and best practices for this upgrade.

SQL Server 2016 is a popular choice among developers and organizations due to its enhanced performance, security features, and compatibility with various applications. However, when it comes time to upgrade or migrate existing infrastructure, the decision to move down to SQL Server 2014 can be daunting.

In this article, we’ll examine the reasons behind this upgrade, discuss potential challenges and limitations, and provide a step-by-step guide on how to perform a successful upgrade from SQL Server 2016 to SQL Server 2014.

Prerequisites

Before embarking on this journey, it’s essential to understand the prerequisites for upgrading your SQL Server instance:

• SQL Server 2016 13.0.5026.0 (X64) Standard Edition: This is the version you’re currently running.
• Microsoft SQL Server 2014 - 12.0.4100.1 (X64) Enterprise Edition: This is the target version for your upgrade.

Checking Compatibility

Before proceeding with the upgrade, it’s crucial to verify that your existing SQL Server instance can be upgraded. The sp_dropextendedproperty T-SQL statement can help you check for any incompatibilities:

-- Check for compatibility issues
SELECT *
FROM master.sys.extended_properties
WHERE name = 'Microsoft SQL Server' AND property_value_data = 0x03000000;

Limitations and Considerations

Upgrading from SQL Server 2016 to SQL Server 2014 can be a complex process, and it’s essential to understand the limitations and considerations involved:

• Version Differences: The most significant difference between these two versions is that SQL Server 2016 has built-in support for Python and Azure Machine Learning features. However, some of those Python-specific capabilities may not be available in SQL Server 2014.

Feature Comparison

Here’s a brief comparison of the key features in SQL Server 2016 and SQL Server 2014:

Upgrading SQL Server

Now that we’ve discussed the prerequisites and limitations, it’s time to dive into the upgrade process:

Pre-Upgrade Steps

Before upgrading your SQL Server instance, make sure you’ve completed the following pre-upgrade steps:

• Backup Your Data: Perform a full backup of all critical data to ensure business continuity.
• Verify System Requirements: Confirm that your system meets the minimum requirements for SQL Server 2014.
• Disable Any Customized Features: Disable any customized features, plugins, or extensions that may interfere with the upgrade process.

Upgrade Process

The upgrade process can be divided into several stages:

Stage 1: Pre-Upgrade Configuration

Configure your environment by updating your Windows operating system and setting up any required components for SQL Server 2014.

-- Update Windows operating system to support SQL Server 2014
wusa.exe /quiet /updatemode=upgrade /productid={2F1DAFA0-6E9A-4898-B61C-D174F381918B} /packagetype=application

-- Install any required components for SQL Server 2014
msiexec.exe /a SQLServer-RTM-x64-SP1.EXE /quiet

Stage 2: Database Migration

Perform a database migration by using the sqlcmd utility to convert your existing databases to a format compatible with SQL Server 2014.

-- Convert existing databases to SQL Server 2014 compatibility mode
sqlcmd -S localhost\instance_name -d database_name -Q "DBCC CHECKDB ('database_name')"

-- Create a new SQL Server 2014 database from the original database
sqlcmd -S localhost\instance_name -d database_name -Q "CREATE DATABASE sql_server_2014_database"

Stage 3: Upgrade to SQL Server 2014

Finally, upgrade your SQL Server instance to SQL Server 2014.

-- Upgrade SQL Server instance to SQL Server 2014
msiexec.exe /a SQLServer-RTM-x64-SP1.EXE /quiet /upgrade

-- Restart the SQL Server service for the changes to take effect
net stop MSSQL$instance_name /y
net start MSSQL$instance_name

Conclusion

Upgrading from SQL Server 2016 to SQL Server 2014 can be a complex process, but with careful planning and execution, you can successfully migrate your infrastructure. This guide has walked you through the key steps involved in this upgrade process, including checking compatibility, understanding limitations, and configuring pre-upgrade settings.

By following these best practices and guidelines, you’ll be able to minimize downtime, ensure business continuity, and take advantage of new features and capabilities offered by SQL Server 2014.

Last modified on 2024-08-19