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Upgrade domain comtroller from 2008 to 2016

Upgrade domain controller

Hi
I have a question we've got 2 windows 2008 domain controller running in the company, and now I would like to upgrade to 2016 domain controller, but is it safe to upgrade, or is it better to install 2 fresh windows 2016 servere, and let them join the domain, and then promote one of them?

Is there anything I should do before starting the project?

Hope you can help out there, to get the best solution :-)

/Jan

Raneesh Chitootharayil

I haven't yet tried a direct migration from 2008 to 2016, but tried from 2012 to 2016 and it was successful
Also from 2008 to 2016, I think you would need to pass through 2008-2012-2016, please read the below link

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/8da17531-03a5-49f9-ba73-979170c92c08/upgrade-from-2008-to-2016?forum=winserverDS

https://serverfault.com/questions/820349/best-practices-for-an-in-place-upgrade-from-server-2008r2-to-2016

https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/1986410-server-2008-r2-standard-upgrade-to-server-2016-standard

Personnel recommendation, Go for a fresh Installation

Mahesh

There is no supported path available for in place upgrade from 2008 / 2008 R2 to 2016
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/supported-upgrade-paths

install new 2016 member server and promote them to domain controller gracefully which is all the time recommended and safe method.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/deploy/upgrade-domain-controllers-to-windows-server-2012-r2-and-windows-server-2012

Dr. Klahn

Before going any further, check to see that your hardware is supported under Server 2016 and that there are official drivers for all devices. This is particularly important for RAID controllers. It's not uncommon to find that a system / hardware manufacturer sees no value in updating drivers for their "legacy" hardware and simply abandons it.

Shaun Vermaak

It is so quick an easy to add new DC, I would not upgrade

Jan Nielsen

ASKER

Hi

Thanks for answering, I can see that upgrading from server 2008 is out of the question, bur have I understood you right, that if I do a fresh install of a Server 2016, then I would be able to promote it to DC it will work?

Shaun Vermaak

Yes, but you first need to get the existing DCs to 2016 if you want to to the DFF and FFL

SOLUTION

Jan Nielsen

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Shaun Vermaak

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