Add Windows Server 2016 Domain Controllers to a Windows Server 2008 R2 Domain

Question

Hello!
I have a domain with two Windows Server 2008 R2 domain controllers.
Windows Server 2008 R2 forest and domain level. There is only one domain in the forest.

I want to add two new Windows Server 2016 DCs to the domain, transfer the FSMO roles to them, and then uninstall the old Windows Server 2008 R2 DCs.

Do I have to manually run the "adprep /forestprep" and "adprep /domainprep" commands, or will the graphical installation wizard do it all by itself?

Answer 1

No, adprep is now a part of domain controller promotion.

The prerequisite before introducing the first 2016 domain controller: domain functional level needs to be 2003 or higher

I'd use dcdiag / repadmin tools to verify health correcting all errors found before starting any operations. Then stand up the new 2016, 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.

Also at some point either before or after (if not already) I'd recommend migrating sysvol replication from older FRS technology to DFSR
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Storage-at-Microsoft/Streamlined-Migration-of-FRS-to-DFSR-SYSVOL/ba-p/425405

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Answer 2

Hi,

No need to launch adprep /domainprep manually. It wil be lauched automatically when you promote the first domain controller under windows 2016. Regarding the commandadprep/forestprep` , it can be launched automatically if you will use a account members of enterprise admins and schema admins to promote the first domain controller under Windows 2016 . if it's not the case you have to launched it manually .

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