Best way of upgrading to Server 2016

[MartinRouterKing]

Hi all,

 

I am thinking of rebuilding our network in Feb half term and upgrading to server 2016.

 

I was thinking of wiping both servers and the rebuilding that way and making the physical servers domain controllers.

 

I then had a thought. If I build a virtual domain controller using hyper v then I could get it right. Take a backup, wipe the servers and then just set up hyper v.

 

Would you suggest doing it this way or would you suggest I build it as physical servers?

 

Thanks

[3s-gtech]

I'd recommend option C - neither of those. Virtualise one server at a time - move services across to the other, check that they're working properly, then wipe one server and build it as a VM host. Move services back to this machine from the other, then wipe that. If upgrading to Server 2016, do this afterwards for each VM - create new DCs, transfer FSMO roles to them, them work on building each new server and retiring a service from the old (P2V'd) servers. I would never, ever rely on backups to do this job - do it live. No (or limited) downtime, and far greater risk as you have another layer of protection.

[sparkeh]

The first thing I would do is backup, backup, backup.

Then you could follow @3s-gtech plan or I would probably do this:

 

• Use Disk2Vhd to virtualise your current setup
  
• Wipe current servers and setup as Hyper-V hosts (I always make them non-domain machines but preference varies)
  
• Import current server images and spin them up - at least you now have your old network up and running, if you do no more than that (eg because you run out of time) you have still taken a step forward but not in a mess
  
• Create your new DCs and transfer over roles
  
• Demote old DCs and turn them off
  

[3s-gtech]

^^Your steps are better explained, but essentially what I meant