Sever migration

Question

I have a physical server running server 2012 r2 with A domain controller as a VM. I recently received a new server running server 2019. I would like to now decommission the old 2012 server and move the Domain controller Virtual Machine to the new server running 2019. How would I go about doing this.

I would also like the 2012vm to be upgraded to 2019

Answer 1

The much simpler / safer method is to stand up a new one on target host.

The two prerequisites to introducing the first 2019 domain controller are that domain functional level needs to be 2008 or higher and older sysvol FRS replication needs to have been migrated to DFSR
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Storage-at-Microsoft/Streamlined-Migration-of-FRS-to-DFSR-SYSVOL/ba-p/425405

I'd use dcdiag / repadmin tools to verify health correcting all errors found before starting any operations. Then stand up the new 2019, patch it fully, license it, join existing domain, add active directory domain services, promote it also making it a GC (recommended), transfer FSMO roles over (optional), transfer pdc emulator role (optional), use dcdiag / repadmin tools to again verify health, when all is good you can decommission / demote old one.

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

Answer 2

Hi @Whitney Kenny ,

export VM -> copy files to new server -> import VM on new server

Maybe this is helpful: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/deploy/export-and-import-virtual-machines

For updating the Windows Server 2012R2 VM to 2019 please take a look here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/upgrade/upgrade-2012r2-to-2019

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(If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote and/or accept as answer, thank you)

Regards
Andreas Baumgarten