Link to home
Start Free TrialLog in
Avatar of Pkafkas
Pkafkas

asked on

File Server Migration - Questions and advice

I have a project to migrate all of the files from a Windows 2008 R2 Standard Server (64-bit) to a new Windows 2012 R2 Standard Server (64-bit).  Since we have so many Active Directory "Group Policies" and "Home Directories" tied to the original File Server name  "FileServer1" I think it would be best eventually rename the new file server name to be "FileServer1" as well.

I wanted to discuss my plan the experts and see if anyone has any other suggestions regarding how to go about this project?  The last time I did something like this was about 4 years ago and I am not certain if there are any better utilities for me to use.

1.  I plan to have a full backup Friday night and I will ask the user to not logon until that file Server's backup is finsihed.

2.  After the backups (VEEAM Backup & Replication) I can begin the copy process from "FileServer1" to "FileServer2".
       a.  I plan to use the RoboCopy GUI ( http://www.thewindowsclub.com/whats-new-in-windows-7-robocopy ) for this copy process.

3.  FileServer1 has all relevant files on its B: Drive (don't ask why 'B', it was not my idea).  Inside this B: drive there are several shared folders and subfolders.
       a.  The Source path will the fileServer1's B: Drive.
       b.  The Destination server (FileServer2) will have E: Drive.
       c.  The Destination path will be the fileServer2's E: Drive ( I will map a drive from FileServer1 to this destination location).  

4.  Ideally, I would like to maintain the current folder structure and its security permissions.
       a.  There will be some files that are already encrypted, and I want to copy them over as well.
       b.  I will use the web page: http://burpee.smccme.edu/studenthowtos/robocopy.htm shows the copy options.
       c.  I hope that this version of Robocopy will work with Windows 2008 R2 and Windows 2012 r2 servers.
       d.  If it will not are there any other alternatives to this version of Robocopy?

5.  I think I will need to manually create the shared folders.
       a.  I will need to verify all of the security permissions anyway; hence, I can setup the folder permissions at the same time.
       b.  Then test the access with my user account and several test user accounts that have different security rights.
       c.  I will need to verify the functionality of the security permissions.

6.  Then when the files and folder shares and security settings are verified I will rename the original FileServer1 to something else.
       a.  Then change the IP address on the original FileServer1.
       b.  Then power off the original fileServer1.
       c.  Verify the static Windows DNS settings are as they should be.

7.  Then rename the destination server to be "FileServer1" and then change the IP address as well.
       a.  Verify that the DNS entries are as they should be.
       b.  I hope this will satisfy the group policies and home directories and mapped drives with DNS and Active Directory.

8.  Then test everything out.
       a.  Verify the functionality of the network and fix whatever may need fixing.
       b.  The exit strategy will be to rename the servers as they were before and try again at a later time.
       c.  Or use the backups to restore the original server back.
Avatar of Pkafkas
Pkafkas

ASKER

SOLUTION
Avatar of CompProbSolv
CompProbSolv
Flag of United States of America image

Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
Avatar of Pkafkas

ASKER

Hello CompProbSolv,

Thank you for the comment; but, in the past we needed to re-build that FileServer Name because of a bad virus.  We went about replacing the original File Server with a new restored Server.  But that Restored server may have had similar properties as the original.

If we did not use the same Server Name then we would need to replace all of the scripts that reference the mapped network drives.  Not to mention the profiles that have their Home Directories mapped to that server name.  Does anyone have any suggestions because that would be a major curve ball in my planning.  It is better to find out sooner than later.
SOLUTION
Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
Avatar of Pkafkas

ASKER

Interesting.  

1.  I was not aware of DFS and that does indeed sound like a better design.  Especially when you replace/upgrade older file servers with new file servers; but, keeping the same data.
        a.  If I understand correctly, if we use DFS, we can map network drives by using the UNC path
             \\Windows_Domain_Name\DFS_Share\Shared Folder
             \\Windows_Domain_Name\DFS_Share\Home_Directory_Share\User_specific
             \\Windows_Domain_Name\DFS_Share\Profile_Share\User_Specific
       b.  We will just need to manually change the settings for each user to include the DFS settings.

2.  It did not occur to me that I can remove a data drive from 1 server and re-attach it to another server (in VMWare).
        a.  I have never done that before; but, theoretically I guess why not.
        b.  If I can do this, that will take away the down time to copy information from 1 server to another.
        c.  I will need to of course schedule a planned management window to remove/add the drive from 1 Virtual Server (VMWare) to another Virtual Server.
                I.  Then test like crazy.

3.  What about if any programs are installed on that file Server drive as well?
       a.  We do have 2 programs installed on the current file Server and we will require those program working as well.
       b.  I would think those specific applications will need to be un-installed and re-installed?

I did ask for any other suggestions on how to go about this project.  It appears that I will need to research both DFS and the virtual Drive move and see if that will fit for our environment.  Can someone verify that my current understanding on how to apply those technologies is correct?
SOLUTION
Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial