Is Lync 2013 compatible with Domain Function Level and Forest Function Level 2016?

Topf, Jonathan 1 Reputation point
2020-10-02T15:18:30.287+00:00

We are in the process of upgrading our DC and want to raise the DFL/FFL to 2016. We started a project to migrate to Skype Server 2015 but will have to wait till sometime next year for that project to start.

Do we have to wait on raising the Domain Function Level and Forest Function Level for the Skype project? I cannot find documentation on any DFL above 2012r2 and Lync 2013.

Thanks for you help.

Skype for Business
Skype for Business
A Microsoft communications service that provides communications capabilities across presence, instant messaging, audio/video calling, and an online meeting experience that includes audio, video, and web conferencing.
614 questions
0 comments

2 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Leon Laude 85,721 Reputation points
    2020-10-02T15:39:16.41+00:00

    Hi @Topf, Jonathan ,

    From the documentation: Active Directory Domain Services support in Lync Server 2013, the minimum Domain Functional Level / Forest Functional Level is 2003.
    The minumum domain functional level for introducing the first 2016 domain controller is also 2003.

    It is not officially known whether it will work or not, because there are no documentations or claims for this, this usually means that Microsoft probably have not tested this scenario.

    From some of my customer experience it has worked just fine.

    ----------

    (If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote or accept as answer, thank you)

    Best regards,
    Leon

    0 comments
  2. Sharon Zhao-MSFT 25,081 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2020-10-05T04:06:36.19+00:00

    @Topf, Jonathan ,

    As Leon Laude said, there is no official document related to this scenario. Whether it will work or not, is not officially known because MSFT claims not to have tested this scenario.

    I have a quick test in my environment. It can work well.

    It recommends you do a test before deploying to the product environment.

    If the response is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.