CVS Server migration Question

Hi All

We are upgrading from old cvs version
Concurrent Versions System (CVS) 1.11.5 (client/server)
To Newer cvs version
Concurrent Versions System (CVS) 1.11.17 (client/server)
We have a new Linux Server with a newer RHAT OS and newer
CVS version 1.11.17

We plan to attach the CVS SAN storage with cvs repository to the
new CVS Server and ask the users to change the CVSROOT variable
to access the CVS repositories using the new CVSROOT variable.
The repository name/repository access path all remain same, JUST
the servername will change in CVSROOT variable.

The question I have is what happens to the workspaces and checked out files/
uncommitted files in the workspace checkedout with OLD CVSROOT variable
after the upgrade?

Will Developers be able to commit these files OR do they have to manually
merge? Or if this is not an issue? OR if it is an issue how to resolve it.
Please advise
thanks in advance
RAJ