Migrate AD from windows server 2008 r2 to Windows Server 2016

Question

Domain controllers are in Windows server 2008 R2 and planning to migrate to windows server 2016. I am planning for parallel upgrade with new servers deployed in the environment. Just want to check whether i need to run forestprep and domainprep once the latest version 2016 is introduced in the environment? I read in some articles that from Windows 2012, adprep is integrated as a component in ADDS and that will take care of this. can anyone throw some light here and share some related microsoft links to justify whether we need to run the commands or leave the domain controllers as is post promoting as a domain controller.

Answer 1

Yes, adprep is now an integrated 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 done) 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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