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Remote Server Admin tools 2016 compatibility

I am in the initial stages of upgrading our 2008 Active Directory environment to 2016. Are there any compatibility issues with RSAT tools in an environment with both 2008 and 2016 domain controllers. Some of my questions are:

- Can you use 2008 Remote Server domain Tools running on Win7 to manage an upgraded Domain with both 2008 and 2016 DC's. Are there any issues with Group Policy management Tools
- Are the 2016 RSAT tools running on a Win10 admin box compatible with 2008 Domain Controllers and domains. We have multiple child domains and it may be a while before I can promote a 2016 DC into those domains. If I can manage everything from a single win10 management machine with RSAT 2016 installed as well as the other admins, that would be preferred.

Thanks

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McKnife

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Cliff Galiher

Neither is 100% compatible either the other, unfortunately. With 2012, Microsoft really went towards using remote powershell for management and RSAT was not considered a priority. Each version is built to manage its own version level, but going up or down can be problematic. Most things work, but it isnt guaranteed and odd functions can be missing.

Kevin Stanush

As Cliff Galiher pointed out, RSAT is becoming increasingly unreliable for managing Windows and Active Directory. Each update/patch to Windows seems to break RSAT for a time and it must be matched or reinstalled with each update it seems.

I don't know what RSAT tools you are needing, but if you are doing general computer management and/or Active Directory administration, consider trying out Hyena. We have a fully functional 30-day trial and can answer any questions through support@systemtools.com.

McKnife

RSAT uses templates of your own workstation. If these templates are having other values than the templates at the server and if you have a policy already configured on 2008, you might not see these configured values of the sections that differ in the administrative templates. These still apply and you can still modify those at the server. That is a very rare case, by the way - we used it for years (first RSAT on 8.1 with server 2008, then RSAT on win10 connected to the same 2008 DC - never a single problem although we heavily rely on GPO). I see no cause for concern and would definitely use RSAT on win10.

Seth Simmons

No comment has been added to this question in more than 21 days, so it is now classified as abandoned.

I have recommended this question be closed as follows:

Accept: McKnife (https:#a42409198)

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