To upgrade SQL Server on the first cluster node

1. On the node where the application service group is online, take only the SQL Server resources offline and delete them. Leave the storage resources online.
2. If the resources are already offline, bring the storage resources online.

   From the VCS Cluster Manager (Java Console), right-click the resource and select Online. Click Yes in the confirmation pop-up to bring the resource online.

3. Take a backup of the existing SQL Server databases from the shared disk and store them in a temporary location.

   The backed-up directories are needed later, while you upgrade SQL Server on the additional failover nodes.

4. Launch the SQL Server installer for the appropriate version to install the application on the node. Select the option to upgrade the existing SQL Server instances when prompted to do so. The installer then automatically places the SQL Server data files in the appropriate location.

   Refer to the Microsoft SQL Server documentation for instructions.

5. Take the entire service group offline on the node.

   The upgrade steps on the first cluster node are now complete. Proceed to upgrading SQL Server on the additional failover nodes.