<div>
It is pretty easy, but you have to be sure that your current domain functional level is at Windows 2008R2. Also you need to be sure that your AD has been upgraded from FRS to DFSR. &nbsp;Here's an article about that if you're not aware of it:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Storage-at-Microsoft/Streamlined-Migration-of-FRS-to-DFSR-SYSVOL/ba-p/425405#express" rel="ugc">https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Storage-at-Microsoft/Streamlined-Migration-of-FRS-to-DFSR-SYSVOL/ba-p/425405#express</a><br />
<br />
If that's all good, then simply install the Windows 2016 operating system, join the domain and then upgrade it to domain controller functionality.<br />
<br />
Do you have other specific questions?
</div>


It is pretty easy, but you have to be sure that your current domain functional level is at Windows 2008R2. Also you need to be sure that your AD has been upgraded from FRS to DFSR.  Here's an article about that if you're not aware of it:

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Storage-at-Microsoft/Streamlined-Migration-of-FRS-to-DFSR-SYSVOL/ba-p/425405#express [https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Storage-at-Microsoft/Streamlined-Migration-of-FRS-to-DFSR-SYSVOL/ba-p/425405#express]

If that's all good, then simply install the Windows 2016 operating system, join the domain and then upgrade it to domain controller functionality.

Do you have other specific questions?

Network Engineer 

kevinhsieh

Cloud Security Consultant

Adam Brown

<div>
^^^ this<br />
<br />
When properly functioning, domain controllers will automatically replicate, including DNS information. You can, and often should have multiple domain controllers. <br />
<br />
If the domain started as 2008 R2, it should already be using DFSR for SYSVOL replication.
</div>


^^^ this

When properly functioning, domain controllers will automatically replicate, including DNS information. You can, and often should have multiple domain controllers.

If the domain started as 2008 R2, it should already be using DFSR for SYSVOL replication.

<div>
As others pointed out, there is no import/export, but simply elevating the 2016 member server to an additional domain controller in the environment.<br />
The roles can then be transferred using the active directory trusts and services. Make sure to allow time for replication to fully complete.<br />
..
</div>


As others pointed out, there is no import/export, but simply elevating the 2016 member server to an additional domain controller in the environment.
The roles can then be transferred using the active directory trusts and services. Make sure to allow time for replication to fully complete.
..

<div>
The first thing will be... Is it really 2008 or 2008 R2... They are different, and not just upgrades.
</div>


The first thing will be... Is it really 2008 or 2008 R2... They are different, and not just upgrades.

<div>
Scott Silva,<br />
<br />
It's a 2008 R2 Standard
</div>


IT Coordinator

E White

<div>
<div class="content wysiwyg-content">
I'm in the process of creating new Windows 2016 servers of my old Window 2008 Servers.<br />
<br />
My 1st will be the Domain Controller.<br />
<br />
What is the easiest way of making my new 2016 server the new Domain Controller and &nbsp;importing all of the DNS information from the 2008 server?
</div>
</div>


I'm in the process of creating new Windows 2016 servers of my old Window 2008 Servers.

My 1st will be the Domain Controller.

What is the easiest way of making my new 2016 server the new Domain Controller and  importing all of the DNS information from the 2008 server?

How to import the Domain Controller info from Windows Server 2008 to Windows Server 2016?

This topic area includes legacy versions of Windows prior to Windows 2000: Windows 3/3.1, Windows 95 and Windows 98, plus any other Windows-related versions including Windows Mobile.

Windows OS

The Domain Name System (DNS) is a hierarchical, globally distributed system responsible for associating the name of a computer, service or other resource into an IP address for connecting to the Internet or a private network. Most prominently, it translates domain names to the numerical IP addresses needed for the purpose of computer services and devices worldwide.

Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2, based on the Microsoft Vista codebase, is the last 32-bit server operating system released by Microsoft. It has a number of versions, including including Foundation, Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, Web, HPC Server, Itanium and Storage; new features included server core installation and Hyper-V.

Windows Server 2008

Windows 10 is a personal computer operating system featuring the "universal application architecture" (UAP); apps can be designed to run across multiple devices with nearly identical code, including PCs, tablets, smartphones, embedded systems, Xbox One, Surface Hub and HoloLens. Windows 10 also includes a virtual desktop system, a window and desktop management feature called Task View, the Microsoft Edge web browser, support for fingerprint and face recognition login, voice-based search (Cortana), new security features for enterprise environments, and DirectX 12 and WDDM 2.0 to improve the operating system's graphics capabilities for games.

Windows 10

Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform and infrastructure for building, deploying and managing applications and services through datacenters. It provides both platform-as-a-service (PaaS) and infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) services and supports many different programming languages, tools and frameworks, including both Microsoft-specific and third-party software and systems. Cloud Services is a PaaS environment and can be used to create scalable applications and services; there are specific software development kits (SDKs) provided by Microsoft for Python, Java, Node.js and .NET. Azure also has file and storage services, data management, analytics and DNS services.

Azure

Windows Server 2016 is the successor to Windows Server 2012 R2. Built upon the same core code as Windows 10, Windows Server 2016 brings enhancements in security, servicing, and connectivity. A particular focus on this release was hybrid-cloud scenarios, and has close ties to Azure and other Microsoft cloud initiatives. This does not detract from the many improvements that are available for on-premises-only deployments

Windows Server 2016 comes in Datacenter, Standard, and Essentials editions, and for servicing, has adopted windows 10's cumulative model. The new nano-server install is designed to be remotely managed and is designed to be kept current through continuous feature updates. The full GUI install operates similarly to windows 10's "Long Term Servicing Branch" (LTSB) model with cumulative security updates.

Windows Server 2016 has also shifted from a per-processor-and-CAL licensing model to a per-core-and CAL licensing model. This brings Windows Server's licensing more in line with Microsoft's other products and makes hybrid-cloud license planning easier as well.