Migrating from Server 2012 essentials to Server 2019 Sandard using the same server box

Question

We are going to migrate from Server 2012 essentials to Sever 2019 standard using the same server box. Our plan is to backup only the data directories on the old server. Next, we plan to reformat the hard drives and install a fresh version of Server 2019. Then we will configure the new server with the same domain name and IP address as the old server. I wanted to know if we need to remove the workstation from the old domain before you wipe out the old server or if the workstations will be able to log into a new server with the old domain credentials. Also if we removed the workstation from the old domain, will they still have access to the files in the old server logins since they will be logging in with a local workstation account.

Answer 1

From what you have described you'll be creating a new domain and the desktop machines will need to be joined to the new domain. I'd make sure you know the local administrator account passwords on the desktops as first step.

If you wanted to preserve the existing domain then I'd stand up a new interim domain controller as first step. (even a desktop will do for this purpose)

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.

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Answer 2

Hi,

I wanted to know if we need to remove the workstation from the old domain before you wipe out the old server or if the workstations will be able to log into a new server with the old domain credentials

You should ask the users to unjoin the domain and backup their files in the current user profile folder before migration. And after migration (delete the old domain from the old server and deploy a new domain with the same domain name in the new server), the users rejoined the domain.

Also if we removed the workstation from the old domain, will they still have access to the files in the old server logins since they will be logging in with a local workstation account.

You should reshare the files in the old servers to the users that rejoined the new domain after the migration.

Thanks,

Eleven

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