Error message when you use the Windows Server 2008 Failover Cluster Management console together with a Windows Server 2008 SP2-based failover cluster: "This feature is only supported with Windows Server 2008 Enterprise and Datacenter servers"

Consider the following scenario. On a computer that is running the RTM version of Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1), you use the Windows Server 2008 Failover Cluster Management console to connect to a failover cluster that is running Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2). However, when you try to perform certain operations in the Failover Cluster Management console, you may receive the following error message:This issue occurs when you try to perform one of the following operations:

• Manage a cluster
• Create a cluster
• Validate a configuration
• Add a node

This issue occurs during the version-checking process in the Windows Server 2008 Failover Cluster Management console.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Important Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 hotfixes are included in the same packages. However, only one of these products may be listed on the “Hotfix Request” page. To request the hotfix package that applies to both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, just select the product that is listed on the page.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, you must run the one of the following:

• The Datacenter edition of Windows Server 2008
• The Enterprise edition of Windows Server 2008
• Windows Vista SP1 with Remote Server Administration Toolkit (RSAT) installed

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other previously released hotfixes.

Registry information

To use this hotfix, you do not have to make any changes to the registry.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 file information note

The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and MUM files (.mum) installed for each environment are listed separately . MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are critical to maintaining the state of the updated component. The security catalog files (attributes not listed) are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Vista and of Windows Server 2008

For all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Vista and of Windows Server 2008

To work around the issue, use one of the following methods.

Method 1

Use the Cluster.exe utility. Most operations that cause this error can be performed by using this utility.

Note You cannot validate a configuration by using this utility.

Method 2

to manage the cluster, use the Failover Cluster Management console on a computer that is running Windows Server 2008 SP2 or Windows Vista SP2.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

The Windows Server 2008 Failover Cluster Management console is included with Windows Server 2008 Enterprise and Data Center editions. You can also install the console in Windows Vista SP1 from the Remote Server Administration Toolkit (RSAT). This update resolves this issue for the Failover Cluster Management console in both Windows Server 2008 RTM and Windows Vista SP1.

Note Service Pack 1 is integrated into the RTM version of Windows Server 2008.

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Additional file information for Windows Vista

Additional files for all supported x86-based versions of Windows Vista and of Windows Server 2008

Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows Vista and of Windows Server 2008

Additional files for all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008