How can Windows Server 2022 join Windows Server 2008 domain?

Question

How to make windows server 2022 join windows server 2008 domain? Is the ONLY procedure is to jump to 64Bit and Windows Server 7 and then Windows Server 2022?

Answer 1

Hi sreyes27,

Thank you for posting in the Microsoft Community Forums.

Prerequisites

Ensure that the Windows Server 2008 domain controller (DC) is functioning properly:

The Windows Server 2008 DC needs to be configured with DNS services and be able to resolve domain names correctly.

Ensure that the DC's firewall settings allow domain join requests.

Configure the network settings for the Windows Server 2022:

Assign a static IP address to the Windows Server 2022.

Set the DNS server address to the IP address of the Windows Server 2008 DC.

Steps to join the domain

Open System Properties:

On Windows Server 2022, right-click “This computer” or “Computer” and select “Properties”.

In the System Control Panel item, click “Advanced System Settings” on the left side.

Change the computer name and workgroup:

In the System Properties window, click the “Computer Name” tab.

Click the Change button.

Join a domain:

In the Computer Name/Domain Change window, check the “Domain” option under “Affiliation”.

Enter the full domain name of the Windows Server 2008 domain (e.g. example.com) in the Domain text box.

After clicking OK, you will be prompted to enter the domain user credentials with the permission to join the domain.

Enter the domain user credentials:

Enter a domain user account and password that has permission to join the computer to the domain.

After you click OK, the system will validate the credentials and attempt to join the computer to the domain.

Restart the computer:

After joining the domain, you will usually be prompted to reboot the computer for the changes to take effect.

After rebooting, log on to Windows Server 2022 using the domain account.

Caution

Ensure domain user privileges: The domain user account used to join the domain must have sufficient privileges.

Firewall and network security settings: Ensure that no network security devices or software block the domain join request.

DNS resolution: DNS must be able to correctly resolve the FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name) of the Windows Server 2008 domain.

Version compatibility: While there may be some technical compatibility differences between Windows Server 2022 and Windows Server 2008, basic domain functionality is usually backward compatible. However, if possible, it is recommended to upgrade the domain controller to a newer Windows Server version for better performance and security.

Best regards

Neuvi

Answer 2

Don't I need to be concerned about going over from 32 bit to 64 bit on Windows Server 2008 Standard?? What about upgrading the Windows 2008 Standard to Windows Server 2008 R2?

Thank you!!

~sreyes27

Answer 3

Thank you so much for your help.

Questions:

1. Do you know what specific firewall settings need to be allowed to BOTH Windows Server 2008 Standard AND Windows Server 2022 Standard Firewall Settings to permit the necessary communications for 2022 Server join the 2008 Server domain? It seems to me that Windows Server 2008 already has the correct firewall settings as most of our computers have already joined the Windows Server 2008 Domain.
2. After 2022 joins the 2008 Domain (after errors are produced(, what changes need to be made to the IP Settings on 2022? IE. I will add to the 2008 Ethernet Address to the Ethernet Properties on 2022 'Use the following DNS server addresses'. Shouldn't the correct DNS Settings restored?
3. I understand that your answer to my question whether I need to upgrade Windows Server Standard 2008 to Windows Server Standard 2008 R2 is not necessary?
4. What about the win32 to win64 architecture is not necessary?
5. It should be possible for the 2022 Domain Controller run as a backup domain controller and eventually become the primary domain controller?

And definitely, I agree. This is a good reason for this upgrade.

Thank you so much!!

~sreyes27

Answer 4

Thank you for your help. So now, Windows Server 2022 has joined the Windows Server 2008 domain. So far, I have not really run into any "cannot resolve" issues in my Windows Server 2022. The issues I've run into are settings or misconfiguration issues. These are easy to resolve. My next step is to configure the 2022 Active Directory as a Backup Active Directory to the 2008 Active Directory. The goal is to then Decommission 2008 Active

Directory and the 2022 to become the Primary Domain Controller. What are the steps to make it now a Backup Domain Controller? Would my plan work?

Thank you,

~sreyes27