SQL Server 2012 SP2 update failure

Question

I have been having failures to install SQL Server 2012 SP2 on a 2-node active\passive cluster. I have uploaded detail and summary logs for the latest run on the passive node here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4tlmv3hmzvbb9l4/Log%20Files.7z?dl=0

Due to not being able to pinpoint the error I have tried the following:

• rebooting and running the patching from the GUI and command line with and without pre-extracting the files.
• I have also ensured cluster services and SQL role are on the same active node, and brought the Available Storage group online although it does not have any unassigned disks in.
• I have also ensured all default directories are present on the shared disks, and checked the registry for any features which are pending an update. I did not find any as I had seen reference to these problems.
• I have also tried using 2 different admin accounts to run the setup even though I could not see any evidence of this problem

The GUI mimics the detail log showing all verification successful, the patching start; whereby after the patching begins it then ends with no error message. A completely blank feature list box is shown and a blank text box for log file locations, although these are obviously generated in the default location.

It seems to me the patching starts, but fails before any features begin to update without a specific error.

Any guidance is greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Seems like it was due to the cross-site cluster configuration

The SQL Instance had 2 IP's with an OR dependency. It seems like the offline IP is causing an issue with the patch. This has been removed from the SQL Role and patching of the first node has completed successfully

Unfortunately I don't know enough about the configuration to know if this is usually a requirement prior to patching or something not 100% correct in the cluster configuration as obviously SQL Server is happy enough with using the different IPs when the instance is running from the different sites and happy with the configuration with one always being offline

Answer 2

Figured out the problem last weekend. After trying to run a repair on my SQL Server 2012, it reported that the user Administrator doesn't have the proper privileges in order to proceed with the installation, so I had to do the following:

Provide Full Control through Group Policy Management Editor in Computer configurations -> Policies -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> User Rights Assignment to:

• Back Up files and directories
• Debug programs
• Manage auditing and security log

More on this error here: SQL Server installation fails