upgrading from 2008 to 2008 r2 dc's

[ful56_uk]

is there anything i need to do before upgrading my dc to 2008 r2 from 2008, got backup etc... anything i need look out for. also what order shall i do the dc's in. do i need to do the one that holds of the in fsmo on it first?

 

cheers mark

[Guest monkeyx]

We are getting ready to upgrade our servers to R2 as well.

 

If you use any samba dependent connections, then maybe worth checking on these.

 

Also come across

 

Release Notes: Important Issues in Windows Server 2008 R2

November’s Hot Windows 7 & 2008R2 issues 227 Volts

 

Let me know if you find anything else.

 

Tim

[k-strider]

Might need to upgrade the schema before doing an inplace upgrade... if thats what you ment!

[rehanahmeds]

a good read

 

Migrate Server Roles to Windows Server 2008 R2

 

Migrate Server Roles to Windows Server 2008 R2

[ranj]

I would have thought the best way to do this is introduce a 2008 r2 fully patched server onto the network, promote it to a domain controller, once its a DC and replicating, then you could start to move all the FSMO roles etc over to it.

 

Would this be the way to go?

If there are schema updates mind you it may be slightly more tricky.

 

I have got a support call with Microsoft open at the moment, so if you have questions on this you want me to ask I could ask him as he works in the directory services team. I am looking to do the same thing as well.

[Chris_Jones]

We did this before christmas with no issues, just a matter of doing the schema update then running the upgrade. We did the DC with all the FSMO Roles first, then the second box.

[cookie_monster]

If you're doing an upgrade which MS usually don't recommend then you shouldn't have any issues. We went from 2003 to 2008 last year and decided to upgrade the server holding the FSMO roles first then rebuilt the other DC's from scratch.

 

A better way (which was our plan B) would be to use a swing server, this can be pretty much any box. Schema update. Install R2, dcpromo and transfer roles then rebuild the old FSMO role holder, dcpromo and transfer roles back to this box then rebuild your other DC's. The only thing to consider here is that MS suggest not reusing the same name for your DC's.

 

From an MS perspective it should be plain sailing, as monkeyx suggests you need to do an inventory of things rely on AD and check compatibility.

Edited January 22, 2010 by cookie_monster

[reggiep]

Is there any cost attached to upgarding from 2008 to 2008 R2? Just a thought

[cookie_monster]

You need to buy new server licences, I 'think' the 2008 CAL's should be ok but you should double check that. If you're on schools agreement then this won't be a problem.