2003R2 to 2008R2 (All 64 bit)

[garethEds]

Three years ago our LEA gave us an HP file server - it was running 2003R2(64bit). It had 6 hard drives. Two were in a RAID array for the OS and then the others were storage in a separate RAID formation.

 

This device hosts our DHCP on the OS side and all files, pupil files, apps, packages etc are on the other array.

 

In a move to standardise everything across the school and upgrade our base systems I want to see this server running 2008R2 - but do not want to go through a fresh install. Has anyone ever done an inplace upgrade using 2008R2 media? Will it update everything else - as in DHCP? Will it spoil any shares that are in place?

 

What should I be looking for?

 

The issue is that the LEA will not support this. They don't have the time to do it and are happy to sit on 2003R2,

 

Gareth

[witch]

Sorry mate, in both my schools when it came to upgrading the server, advice from all sides was that it was better to flatten it and start again with a fresh install. Given that your OS is separate, I think it might be done without too much trouble?? Hopefully??

[garethEds]

Sorry mate, in both my schools when it came to upgrading the server, advice from all sides was that it was better to flatten it and start again with a fresh install. Given that your OS is separate, I think it might be done without too much trouble?? Hopefully??

 

I thought as much - trying to remember a checklist of things to move over will be fun.

 

Thanks

 

Gareth

[plexer]

Get a full backup try the in place upgrade if it doesn't work out roll back to backup?

 

That's what I'd do.

 

Ben

[ChrisH]

Turn you check list into your disaster recovery plan:

Dhcp can be backed up using the console or the netsh command, this will restore to 2008 R2 no problem.

Back up all your data and test it, I like 2 backups if possible.

Consider using a DFS name space on your shares, this will make moving/restoring data easier and probably simplify your share structure.

You can back up share information from the registry as well.

Use tools like NTFSFIX for your bulk permission settings.

 

The file server should be one of your simpler servers to restore so take this into consideration with your design, take this opportunity to get things the way you want them. Ideally you would migrate the data to another server, check you have everything and then flatten the old server, you could then put everything back on the old server once it's upgraded. This can all easily be done with robocopy and altering DFS Paths, I have done it this way many times.

[Michael]

I've never tried it, but it is supported by Microsoft as an optional upgrade route as they're both 64Bit.

 

Starting fresh is always going to give better results leaving any carp behind. That's the best way to look at it

[MrEprise]

I tried it 3 years ago to 2 DCs, both of which are still running rock solid. While it certainly is possible, it is at your own risk and i'd still recommend clean installs where possible. In my case, a clean install wasn't viable at the time.

[garethEds]

Thanks everyone.

 

GJE

[Disease]

Sorry to jump on this thread,

 

I am moving to 2008 R2 in the summer with Win 7, I was hoping to add a 2008 R2 domain controller early to the network t run alongside my 2003 R2 DC's and allow replication of AD to take place then upgrade the 2003 DCs when the pupils go off for the summer. Is there any considerations I should take into account doing this now and any impact on the 2003 R2 network I should plan for? Clients at the moment are all XP.

[sted]

as long as you run adprep on a 2003 box (im 99% sure you cant not do this and make a 2008r2 box a dc anyway) no not really but if thats permanant then id transfer all the fismo roles to it so when you upgrade the other dcs

[Disease]

The current 2003 PDC is on hardware I want to re-use so my idea was to set up a 2008 R2 DC on a VM let AD replicate Transfer the Fismo Roles and and then when the summer break starts wipe the 2003 DC and and fresh install 2008. What I didn't want to happen is find that by doing this my current running of the network would screw up

[sted]

shouldnt be an issue a dc is a dc as long as you dont raise the functional levels higher than the worst one it should make no difference (and again im 90% sure it wont let you but im not trying it lol)

[Disease]

I thought that when you add a 2008 DC to a 2003 Forest you have to upgrade the other DC in the forest within a certain time frame, or is this me just making wild things up.

[Michael]

You do need to run adprep and forestprep commands from your existing 2003 DC Server first. The functional levels should then be raised to 2003 to properly support 2008 R2. This is the same with 2012 Server too.

 

I've never tried not running adprep and forestprep commands first, but even if it were possible, you're guaranteed replication errors as 2003 won't know about all the extra goodness 2008 R2 and 2012 offer. That's the best way of looking at it

[sted]

as far as i remember (and generally im on one server sites 2 if i can make the old one limp along as a spare) if you adprep any 03 box it does them all

[Michael]

That's correct (as above) you only need to run adprep and forestprep commands on your 2003 DC FSMO role holder. This'll then replicate out to all other DCs in your domain.

[sted]

That's correct (as above) you only need to run adprep and forestprep commands on your 2003 DC FSMO role holder. This'll then replicate out to all other DCs in your domain.

 

i typed ages before i posted so your post want visible got distacted by the ict coordinator lol