Migrating Windows Primary Domain Controller
Hi there Experts,
I am planning creating a Windows 2012 R2 vSphere Infrastructure.
As per Microsoft’s recommendation the Primary Domain Controller
should be on a physical machine.
My Primary Domain Controller is currently a Physical Windows 2008 R2 Server.
This server will be the Primary domain controller for the virtual
infrastructure but I would like to upgrade it to Windows 2012 R2.
I should also create a VM as an Additional Windows 2012 R2 Domain Controller.
Could you please advise the migration sequence in detail?
Thanks in Advance,
Mamelas
I am planning creating a Windows 2012 R2 vSphere Infrastructure.
As per Microsoft’s recommendation the Primary Domain Controller
should be on a physical machine.
My Primary Domain Controller is currently a Physical Windows 2008 R2 Server.
This server will be the Primary domain controller for the virtual
infrastructure but I would like to upgrade it to Windows 2012 R2.
I should also create a VM as an Additional Windows 2012 R2 Domain Controller.
Could you please advise the migration sequence in detail?
Thanks in Advance,
Mamelas
SOLUTION
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The best practice of keeping the PDC physical is somewhat obsolete. As long as you observe best practices for running DC's on virtual environments and as long as the hypervisor is a compatible version (so as to deal with issues such as snapshots etc) you can run the PDC as a VM just like any other DC.
ASKER
Dear Shaik,
Thank you for your prompt reply.
Please clarify the below:
- Steps 1-4 will be done on the current Win2008 DC?
- The additional domain controller which will be a VM, will have Win 2012 R2 and functional level of Windows 2008? Steps 5,6 are referring to this? Now the VM will be the Primary DC?
- Step 9 ,I will rise the domain level of VM from Windows 2008 to Windows 2012?
- Steps 10-15 are related to the Physical Windows 2008 Server?
- During the installation and since from step 9 the Functional Level is Windows 2012 why on step 16 should I rise the functional level instead of applying it directly on step 13?
After completing all the steps how should I know if the Physical Server is also the Primary DC?
Would be better to upgrade the Physical Windows 2008 Server to Windows 2012 instead of formatting or not?
Thank you for your prompt reply.
Please clarify the below:
- Steps 1-4 will be done on the current Win2008 DC?
- The additional domain controller which will be a VM, will have Win 2012 R2 and functional level of Windows 2008? Steps 5,6 are referring to this? Now the VM will be the Primary DC?
- Step 9 ,I will rise the domain level of VM from Windows 2008 to Windows 2012?
- Steps 10-15 are related to the Physical Windows 2008 Server?
- During the installation and since from step 9 the Functional Level is Windows 2012 why on step 16 should I rise the functional level instead of applying it directly on step 13?
After completing all the steps how should I know if the Physical Server is also the Primary DC?
Would be better to upgrade the Physical Windows 2008 Server to Windows 2012 instead of formatting or not?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
Dear Seth,
Thank you for your extended and in detail reply.
Let me sum-up your reply and kindly confirm that below are correct.
To avoid confusion Physical Machine is the PM and the Virtual Machine is the VM.
1)PM: Check for Updates if any and check Event Log
2)VM: Install Windows 2012 Server R2, ADDS role and set Functional Level to 2008
(schema and DNS will be updated/installed automatically)
3)PM: Uninstall DHCP Role
4) VM: Install DHCP Role
5)VM: Transfer FSMO roles from PM to VM
6)Wait few days and verify that PM with 2K8 DC and VM with 2K12 DC are replicating with no errors
7)PM: Demote PM which is Currently a 2k8 DC and shutdown
8)VM: Raise the Functional Lever from 2008 to 2012
9)PM: Format, Install Windows Server 2012
10)PM: Install ADDS Role and DNS and set Functional Level to 2012
11)VM: Transfer the FSMO Roles from VM to PM
(Now the Primary 2012 Domain Controller is the PM)
12)PM: Configure as a Time Server
Are steps 1-12 correct? Am I missing any other step?
Thank you for your extended and in detail reply.
Let me sum-up your reply and kindly confirm that below are correct.
To avoid confusion Physical Machine is the PM and the Virtual Machine is the VM.
1)PM: Check for Updates if any and check Event Log
2)VM: Install Windows 2012 Server R2, ADDS role and set Functional Level to 2008
(schema and DNS will be updated/installed automatically)
3)PM: Uninstall DHCP Role
4) VM: Install DHCP Role
5)VM: Transfer FSMO roles from PM to VM
6)Wait few days and verify that PM with 2K8 DC and VM with 2K12 DC are replicating with no errors
7)PM: Demote PM which is Currently a 2k8 DC and shutdown
8)VM: Raise the Functional Lever from 2008 to 2012
9)PM: Format, Install Windows Server 2012
10)PM: Install ADDS Role and DNS and set Functional Level to 2012
11)VM: Transfer the FSMO Roles from VM to PM
(Now the Primary 2012 Domain Controller is the PM)
12)PM: Configure as a Time Server
Are steps 1-12 correct? Am I missing any other step?
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ASKER
All the Clients are using the Static IPs'
(except the ones that are connected through WiFi which are mostly Mobiles and Tablets)
So this it would not be a big problem
Well, are above mentioned steps 1-12 correct? Am I missing any other step?
(except the ones that are connected through WiFi which are mostly Mobiles and Tablets)
So this it would not be a big problem
Well, are above mentioned steps 1-12 correct? Am I missing any other step?
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ASKER
In step 8 I am referring to the VM since the functional level was originally set to 2008 from step 2.
Therefore step 10 is required for the PM
Correct ?
Therefore step 10 is required for the PM
Correct ?
what is your functional level now? 2003?
ASKER
If I remember well 2003 ..
you don't have to raise it twice
you can raise it once at the end to 2012; no need to go to 2008 first
you can raise it once at the end to 2012; no need to go to 2008 first
ASKER
OK I am a little bit confused
Now the FL of PM is 2003
On step 2 I will create the VM DC and following I will enable ADDS role
At this step will request the FL or not?
What FL will take the VM at this step???
Now the FL of PM is 2003
On step 2 I will create the VM DC and following I will enable ADDS role
At this step will request the FL or not?
What FL will take the VM at this step???
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ASKER
Thank you all!!