Upgrading from Server 2008 sp2 to server 2012

Question

Hi,

I have recently been tasked with upgrading an on prem AD server 2008 (not r2). I am aware of the upgrade procedure but I cannot locate a working server 2012 iso I can run. I have a 2012 R2 iso but the upgrade fails and informs me I need to upgrade to server 2012 standard first. The evaluation for the version in no longer available for download from microsoft. I have licencing for server 2019 and server 21.
I really don't want to start with a fresh install as the School who owns the server do not have the budget.
Is there anyone who can link me to a downloadable iso of server 2012. Or is there a way of upgrading server 2008 sp2 to server 2008 r2 and perform the upgrade thewn through 2012 r2 and then 2019?

Thank you for reading

james

Answer 1

The much simpler / safer method is a migration.

The two prerequisites to introducing the first 2019 or 2022 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 or 2022, 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 upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

Answer 2

Hello

Thank you for your question and reaching out. I can understand you are having issues related to Upgrade to 2012 and to get .iso file.

Please note that Sever 2012 is End of Life End of support. you may try to Download from MSDN or volume License page or you can approach to get DVD disk of 2012 from your OEM vendor ( Dell, HP ..etc)

In your case I will recommend you to get new Fresh Windows 2019 or 2022 Server and Migrate roles from 2008 to 2022 as there can be issues if your upgrade from 2008 to 2012/2012 R2.

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