For FFL, DFL level can it be raise to 2016 on the parent if the child DFL is still 2008?

Question

I have a environment with 2016 windows server Domain controller with the FFL and DFL are 2008. I have also a child domain with Windows 2016 and 2008 Domain controller.

My questions is can I raise the FFL and DFL level to 2016 on parent domain even if the child domain DFL stays at 2008?

thank you

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Answer 1

Hello @Dan7677 ,

Thank you for posting here.

Based on the description, I understand the forest functional level is 2008, and domain functional level of parent domain is 2008, and all DCs in your parent domain are 2016 DCs, and all DCs in your child domain are 2016 DCs and 2008 DCs (So I understand domain functional level of child domain is also 2008).

For AD forest functional level and domain functional level, we should ensure:

1.Ensure that all domain functional levels are equal to or higher than the forest functional level;
2.Ensure that the operating system level of all domain controllers is equal to or higher than the domain functional level;

Q:My questions is can I raise the FFL and DFL level to 2016 on parent domain even if the child domain DFL stays at 2008?
A:No, you can not. If you do this, an error will occur.

If you want to raise the FFL and DFL level to 2016 on parent domain:
1.You should replace all DCs in child domain to 2016 DCs.
2.Then raise DFL level in child domain to 2016.
3.Raise DFL level in parent domain to 2016.
4.Raise FFL level in parent domain to 2016.

Q:Is it possible to only raise the DFL to 2016 on parent and child to 2016 DFL even if the child domain as 2008 and 2016 domain controllers. Like that I would raise the FFL when all windows 2008 DC are gone.

A:Is it possible to only raise the DFL to 2016 on parent ==>Yes
child to 2016 DFL even if the child domain as 2008 and 2016 domain controllers.==>No
Like that I would raise the FFL when all windows 2008 DC are gone.==>No

Hope the information above is helpful.

Should you have any question or concern, please feel free to let us know.

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Best Regards,
Daisy Zhou

Answer 2

can I raise the FFL and DFL level to 2016 on parent domain

You can as long as all the domain controllers are 2016 or higher operating system.

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Answer 3

No, you would not be able to raise the DFL on child domain higher than the lowest child domain controller operating system.

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Answer 4

Any progress or updates?

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