Replacing a DC/File Server

[jayswarve]

Good afternoon all,

 

Right, I am replacing a physical 2012 R2 DC (which also runs File Server, DHCP, DNS etc.) because not only has the performance degraded massively, it is also now out of warranty. This is the ONLY server in the academy of 3 classrooms (2 equipped with PC's).

 

I have promoted a new 2012 R2 (destination) server to DC and set up replication of the SYSVOL folders with DFS management (which is installed on the source server). I have also transferred all FSMO roles to the destination server.

 

I am now stuck at the transferring files part...

 

I was originally going to use File Server Migration Tools to transfer everything over, but it does state that this cannot be ran on a DC. I quite like the idea of having DFS namespaces, but hI'm still not sure this is the best solution.

 

The source server contains learners home drives (etc.) which are created and mapped using a GPO and is sized around 200GB all together.

 

What do you think the best solution is for completing the migration?

 

Thanks

[GTX]

I'm not 100% sure if this will work

 

But have you tired Robocopy?

[jayswarve]

I'm not 100% sure if this will work

 

But have you tired Robocopy?

 

Hi GTX and thanks for your reply,

 

 

That was also suggested to me. I am going to look into this now.

 

Does it matter that the destination DC has a different name to the source DC that I am replacing?

[timbo343]

Have a look at RichCopy. I use it and works a treat.

 

Is the name of the server the same as youll have to change the name of the share in the users AD account.

 

I use CNAMEs so if servers were to change the CNAME doesnt.

[jayswarve]

Have a look at RichCopy. I use it and works a treat.

 

Is the name of the server the same as youll have to change the name of the share in the users AD account.

 

I use CNAMEs so if servers were to change the CNAME doesnt.

 

Thnaks, I'll check RichCopy out now!

 

Have you dabbled with DFS Namespacess at all? From what I have read, this is almost an alternative to the CNAMEs?

[snagrat]

File Server Migration Toolkit is your friend.

 

Can be run on a DC without issue.

 

Will copy data, recreate share name and copy the permissions.