Introducing a Windows 2019 Server DC into a Windows 2012 r2 Domain

Question

Hello,

Hoping to avoid any pitfalls. We will be introducing a Windows Server 2019 DC into a domain run by a Windows 2012 R2 DC without upgrading the original DC. The Windows 2012 R2 DC will still act as the primary domain controller.

I am trying to see if there are any issues with this. From my reading there should not be any issues involved. Anyone who has experience with this please advise. Thank you.

-S

Answer 1

No issues or problems with this.

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 Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--