2008R2 in-place upgrade

[StevieM]

We still have VM running Server 2008R2 acting as a backup DC, print controller and AV remote management, which I'm hoping to upgrade to 2012R2 over the Christmas holidays.

 

I've never done an in-place server upgrade before so I wanted a bit of advice. As its a virtual server, I thought about running the update on an exported copy rather than just creating a checkpoint. If the update worked OK, I'd just leave the old one turned off. What have others done? Are there any particular pitfalls I should look out for?

 

Thanks in advance.

[kingoranks]

Your idea will work, I usually take a copy of the disk place it in a different host, turn off network connection and check it fine and them upgrade the machine

[Oaktech]

I'm not a fan of in place upgrades, but if you're going to do it, your suggested way is a good compromise.

[StevieM]

Your idea will work, I usually take a copy of the disk place it in a different host, turn off network connection and check it fine and them upgrade the machine

That's given me another idea! As it's not a massive VHD (unlike the file-server), I could even export it to a removable drive and run it on my (school) laptop at home. Updates certainly wouldn't take as long that way. (Seriously, my cheap home FTTC Internet connection is faster than the one for the whole school!)

 

I'm not a fan of in place upgrades, but if you're going to do it, your suggested way is a good compromise.

If I had the time (and the knowledge!) I'd have done a clean install of Server 2019 and configured it from scratch, but you gotta work with what you're given.

 

Thanks, guys. I feel a lot more reassured after reading your posts.