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Can I do an in place upgrade of a domain controller?

I know I can upgrade Windows 2003 R2 to Windows 2008 R2, but my question is can I do this on a domain controller which is handling DNS and DHCP functions. This server does not hold any of the FSMO server roles, but it is in a remote office so I want to avoid too much downtime. I am wondering if it will keep the DHCP settings. As I am using Active Directory Intergrated DNS, I think I would be safe there.

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Justin Owens

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akhalighi

I don't anticipate any issues with usual upgrades. 2003 to 2008 is a very common upgrade path.you should be safe. however it's always good to have a backup. it'd be great If you can virtualize 2003 server and keep a VM of it .

KeterHD

You should be able to perform the upgrade if at least Windows Server 2003 SP1 is installed. IMO this is kinda risky, though, so as akhalighi said - better have a good, working backup (as a VM would be excellent, although I'd do both).

Also, this guide here might help you to perform the actual upgrade.

Lee W, MVP

I agree with DrUltima - CAN you - yes... SHOULD you, NO. Clean installs are always better unless you have a VERY compelling reason not to. If this is JUST a DC/DNS/DHCP server, then I would DCPROMO it down, remove it from the domain, reinstall it cleanly and promote it back to a DC.

Brian Pierce

If you are using 2003 R2 in its 32bit version then you can't do an inplace upgrade to 2008-R2 which is 64bit only

Justin Owens

KCTS is correct:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/migration-paths.aspx

Unsupported Upgrade Scenarios

Cross-architecture in-place upgrades (for example, x86 to x64) are not supported.

DrUltima