Domain functional level upgrade
Hell experts, I have the following task ahead:
3 x Server 2003 (32-bit) DCs with DNS and DHCP roles installed. These are in the root domain mydomain.com, there is another domain in the forest - sub.mydomain.com also on server 2003 functional level.
The subdomain will eventually be decommissioned at some point, but the immediate plan is to raise the root domain functional level to 2008R2.
I plan to build a new physical 2012 box and add it as a DC, transfer FSMO roles, DNS, and DHCP, allow to replicate, decommission an old DC, build a 2008 server promote it etc until I have my 1 2012 and 2 2008 DCs. I will then raise the functional level.
I've done this before on a single domain, but not in a forest before. Is there anything I need to be aware of?
It seems odd to have a 2012 DC and 2008, but there is a reason for that. We'll go 2012 all across the board eventually.
Am i missing anything?
Thanks.
3 x Server 2003 (32-bit) DCs with DNS and DHCP roles installed. These are in the root domain mydomain.com, there is another domain in the forest - sub.mydomain.com also on server 2003 functional level.
The subdomain will eventually be decommissioned at some point, but the immediate plan is to raise the root domain functional level to 2008R2.
I plan to build a new physical 2012 box and add it as a DC, transfer FSMO roles, DNS, and DHCP, allow to replicate, decommission an old DC, build a 2008 server promote it etc until I have my 1 2012 and 2 2008 DCs. I will then raise the functional level.
I've done this before on a single domain, but not in a forest before. Is there anything I need to be aware of?
It seems odd to have a 2012 DC and 2008, but there is a reason for that. We'll go 2012 all across the board eventually.
Am i missing anything?
Thanks.
ASKER
But I'm only raising the root domain functional level - the forest functional level will stay the same. I'll have domain with 2008 R2 and 2012 DCs in, so i can raise the functional level to 2008 R2 surely.
I understood that you are planning to raise domain functional level now. As a best practice I suggest you raise forest and domain functional levels one after the other when it is required. Do not raise domain functional first, this will create issues. Follow proper procedure and make your work simple.
1. Raise functional of forest on parent domain and raise domain level where ever infra master role is there (parent and child) to 2008.
2. take time between functional level as it is multi domain forest.
3. Cross verify schema version on all the DCs.
4. Once everything is fine, run dcdiag and repadmin to check DC's health.
5. Once server 2008 becomes DC, demote server 2003 32bit.
6. Perform metadata cleanup for old DCs.
7. Run DCDiag and repadmin Gin.
8. Add 2012 server as member server, then promote it as DC.
9. Once 2012 is a DC, check the schema version on all DCs.
10. If you are planning to deploy advanced features of AD then raise functional to R2 (recycle bin, FGPP).
Note: make sure you have Domain, Ent, schema admin permissions to perform this task.
1. Raise functional of forest on parent domain and raise domain level where ever infra master role is there (parent and child) to 2008.
2. take time between functional level as it is multi domain forest.
3. Cross verify schema version on all the DCs.
4. Once everything is fine, run dcdiag and repadmin to check DC's health.
5. Once server 2008 becomes DC, demote server 2003 32bit.
6. Perform metadata cleanup for old DCs.
7. Run DCDiag and repadmin Gin.
8. Add 2012 server as member server, then promote it as DC.
9. Once 2012 is a DC, check the schema version on all DCs.
10. If you are planning to deploy advanced features of AD then raise functional to R2 (recycle bin, FGPP).
Note: make sure you have Domain, Ent, schema admin permissions to perform this task.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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@DrDave242: Yes, you are correct. I mean to say whenever you want to raise functional level, start with Forest functional level. Thats the best practice, in multi domain forest.
@gmbaxter: Also make sure that you run these commands when you are not going to add down level OS DCs.
Reference:
http://blogs.technet.com/b
@gmbaxter: Also make sure that you run these commands when you are not going to add down level OS DCs.
Reference:
http://blogs.technet.com/b
ASKER
Thanks for the confirmation.
Regards.
Regards.
The same if you raise to 2012 you cannot install 2003/2008 as DC.
You can reverse it but it is little bit difficult .
Please check this for the steps to promote 2012 server as DC