Migrating 2003 DC to 2012

[mdench]

First time i have done something like this so would like a few pointers and things to look out for.

 

We have been tasked over this summer with helping refit a local primary school which involves 30 new pcs and a new server HP ML350 gen 8 running 2012. We know very little about the existing network apart from the main server is years old and has been brought back from the dead on many occasions and is a 2003 DC acting as a file server. We need to migrate all the data and roles AD, GPO etc from the 2003 to the 2012 box. Can anyone shed some light on what we need to do to complete this and how long we should take to do this process?

 

I had a look around and saw bits about having to raise functional schema levels etc and i got lost.

 

So any pointers, links to guides, advice would be greatly appreciated.

[3s-gtech]

It's fairly straightforward. You simply build the new server, adprep the domain then add the new server as a DC. You make sure that it's running all of the features that you'll need, then start to move roles over between them (there are guides for each service - DNS is simple as it replicates, DHCP needs moving across which is easy, WSUS needs a bit of work but there are good guides about). Then you make the new DC the FSMO roll holder. You should then be able to switch off the old server, making sure that things like your DHCP and DNS settings have also been updated to point to the new machine.

[fiza]

might help:

 

Step-By-Step: Adding a Windows Server 2012 Domain Controller to an Existing Windows Server 2003 network - Canadian IT Professionals - Site Home - TechNet Blogs

 

Transferring FSMO Roles

[mdench]

how long do you recommend that we leave both servers running to ensure everything has properly replicated over?

[fiza]

Replication should occur almost immediately as both servers are on the same site and in the same domain. Leave it for a couple of days and then you can demote the original server to member server. In this way you can still access the files if you missed any but it wont be a DC anymore.

[mdench]

Today is the day! one quick question I know that you mentioned i had to run ADPrep but reading this guide through Step-By-Step: Adding a Windows Server 2012 Domain Controller to an Existing Windows Server 2003 network - Canadian IT Professionals - Site Home - TechNet Blogs it only mentions checking that the domain functional level is at least 2003. Which this domain is so can i just follow this guide, install the roles add to a DC or do i still need to run AD prep?

[Boredguy]

You still need to run the adprep before adding the 2012 server.

[FN-GM]

You still need to run the adprep before adding the 2012 server.

 

I think it does it for you now when you promote the server as a DC.