What is the best practices to Migrate from Windows SRV 2012 R2 To Windows 2016 or Windows 2019?

Sathishkumar Singh 486 Reputation points
2023-04-25T07:38:56.0066667+00:00

Hello Team
Windows 2012 R2 is End of life on October 2023
I would like to plan migrations of Servers with exchange

My Current Infra
Servers are running VMWare

1-Primary Domain Controller**(Win2012)**
TLS.LOCAL

1-Secondary Domain Controller + File Server (Win2012)

2-RODC :-UK-RODC**(Win2012)**

2 Child Domain**(Win2012)**
CDC01.BLR.TLS.LOCAL
CDC02.BLR.TLS.LOCAL

1 Exchange Server 2016 (CU23) (No DAG Configured) (Win2012)
C Drive (OS) NTFS
DB01**(ReFS Partition)**
DB02**(ReFS Partition)**
DB03**(ReFS Partition)**
DB04**(ReFS Partition)
**
Now exchange servers are live. how can we migrate Domain Controllers and Exchange Server to Windows Srv 2016 or 2019?
Because Exchange 2016 will support OS 2016 right?

-What is the best practices and order to Migrate Servers order?
-When Exchange Server is running, Whether need to be migrate All Domain controllers and Child Domains First then migrating Exchange Server?

Please share me the links or videos steps migration with advise

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Accepted answer
  1. Anonymous
    2023-04-26T01:55:32.3666667+00:00

    The two prerequisites to introducing the first 2019 or 2022 domain controller are that domain functional level needs to be 2008 or higher and older sysvol FRS replication needs to have been migrated to DFSR

    I'd use dcdiag / repadmin tools to verify health correcting all errors found before starting any operations. Then stand up the new 2019 or 2022, patch it fully, license it, join existing domain, add active directory domain services, promote it also making it a GC (recommended), transfer FSMO roles over (optional), transfer pdc emulator role (optional), use dcdiag / repadmin tools to again verify health, when all is good you can decommission / demote old one.

    You could ask for help with your exchange migration in dedicated forums over here.
    https://video2.skills-academy.com/en-us/answers/tags/342/office-exchange-server-management

    --please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

2 additional answers

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  1. Limitless Technology 44,326 Reputation points
    2023-04-26T11:52:54.64+00:00

    Hello Thank you for your question and reaching out. The suggested method for upgrading a domain is to demote the older domain controllers when necessary and elevate domain controllers that run more recent versions of Windows Server. That approach is superior to upgrading an existing domain controller's operating system. General steps to follow before you promote a domain controller that runs a newer version of Windows Server: Verify the target server meets system requirements. Verify Application compatibility. Review Recommendations for moving to Windows Server 2016 Verify security settings. For more information, see Deprecated features and behavior changes related to AD DS in Windows Server 2016. Check connectivity to the target server from the computer where you plan to run the installation. Check for availability of necessary operation master roles: To install the first DC that runs Windows Server 2016 in an existing domain and forest, the machine where you run the installation needs connectivity to the schema master in order to run adprep /forestprep and the infrastructure master in order to run adprep /domainprep. To install the first DC in a domain where the forest schema is already extended, you only need connectivity to the infrastructure master. To install or remove a domain in an existing forest, you need connectivity to the domain naming master. Any domain controller installation also requires connectivity to the RID master. If you are installing the first read-only domain controller in an existing forest, you need connectivity to the infrastructure master for each application directory partition, also known as a non-domain naming context or NDNC. Reference: https://video2.skills-academy.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/deploy/upgrade-domain-controllers --If the reply is helpful, please Upvote and Accept as answer--

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-04-26T12:46:23.4333333+00:00

    Just checking if there's any progress or updates?
    --please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

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