Upgrading Dc's and KMS Questions

[glennda]

Just looking at upgrading our Dc's to Server 2008 R2 - they are currently 2003 r2.

I have never done an upgrade of this kind before - only 2k3 to 2k3 r2

Is there anything i have to do in particular and also will it be fine to upgrade straight to 2k8 r2 rather then 2k8 in the middle?

Also with KMS we Image machines alot - how does this work with KMS and activating?

[denon101]

I would personally look to do a clean install. That way you can get no nasty stuff lurking around from the upgrade. Also test, test and test again.

[glennda]

I'm going to create a seperate VM - but is there anything i need to be wary of regarding doing the upgrade - ensure the backups have worked is a must

[svjustin]

2nd the clean install, then just transfer the AD master roles to the new server.

[glennda]

Just managed to get the upgrade sorted - am going to create a second vm for another dc and demote the old 2003 servers - just one question if i raise the function level to svr 2008 r2 would i still be able to have xp clients? as it says you can no longer have 2003 dc's but that is not a problem just need to make sure i don't break all the xp clients!

[pritchardavid]

Yes! You can still use xp clients

It just means you cant use any server edition below 2008 has a domain controller. It doesnt matter what you use for clients, its only to do with the servers

[glennda]

Yes! You can still use xp clients

It just means you cant use any server edition below 2008 has a domain controller. It doesnt matter what you use for clients, its only to do with the servers

Thats what i thought just wanted to double check!

Also with KMS how does it work with imaging machines? does the KMS server know that the machine is the same as to not use up two licenses?

[pritchardavid]

You just install a kms key on the server and that will find client computers and activate them.

Im still surpirsed how well that actually works.

I believe a KMS Server will activate has many computers has you want

This is of course does not work for xp if thatswhat your trying to do? Only Windows Vista & 7

[glennda]

You just install a kms key on the server and that will find client computers and activate them.

Im still surpirsed how well that actually works.

I believe a KMS Server will activate has many computers has you want

This is of course does not work for xp if thatswhat your trying to do? Only Windows Vista & 7

No not trying to do it for XP - just plannig a move to 7 and got the server parts done - now lots of testing until next summer when we move to 7.

[ChrisH]

Don't forget to add the GPP update to your XP clients so you can use the GPP stuff with them.

[glennda]

Don't forget to add the GPP update to your XP clients so you can use the GPP stuff with them.

Yeah there is nothing (at the moment) I can think of that I want to use the extra GPO's for - but as soon as i find one I will be rolling out the GPP update