Azure VM Upgrade from 2012 to 2019

Pradeep 21 Reputation points
2023-06-27T19:24:47.4633333+00:00

Hi ,

We have a customer who have Microsoft Server 2012R2 and would like to move to Microsoft Server 2019 in Azure as 2012 in a short time(1-1.5 months with less disruption to the existing application). From my knowledge Inplace upgrade from 2012 to 2019 is not possible right? If so what are the other options? Can customer migrate directly from 2012 to 2019? I have seen in some MS documentation they mention to use 2016 as intermediary step to migrate to 2019. Can some one help?

Regards

Pradeep

Azure Virtual Machines
Azure Virtual Machines
An Azure service that is used to provision Windows and Linux virtual machines.
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Windows Server Migration
Windows Server Migration
Windows Server: A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.Migration: The process of making existing applications and data work on a different computer or operating system.
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3 answers

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  1. Dave Patrick 426.4K Reputation points MVP
    2023-06-27T19:29:34.8266667+00:00

    An in-place upgrade is very risky and never recommended but you could follow along here.

    https://video2.skills-academy.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/windows-in-place-upgrade

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


  2. Pradeep 21 Reputation points
    2023-06-27T21:29:47.5833333+00:00

    No we are not looking for in-place upgrade as Microsoft don't recommend it. Is there any document which lists out the fresh install of 2019 and migrate from the existing 2012 server to 2019?

    0 comments No comments

  3. Dave Patrick 426.4K Reputation points MVP
    2023-06-27T21:35:54.8533333+00:00

    The steps will vary depending on the roles installed. For example, a new domain controller.

    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.

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