I currently have several Windows 2016 Domain Controllers that are running DNS and DHCP. I'm looking for advice on how to upgrade to 2025 while keeping the existing roles. Should I retain the same IP addresses during this process? Any helpful links or tips would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend upgrading directly to 2025 right now. Reports suggest it's not fully ready for production environments yet. Sticking with 2022 is a safer choice unless you want to deal with unexpected issues down the line. If you have a complex environment with multiple DCs, it’s wise to consider new IPs for those.
Yep, let 2025 mature for a year or so. Your license should allow downgrading to 2022 if needed.
Best practice is to run the new 2025 DC alongside the current ones. Migrate FSMO roles, replicate DNS, and migrate DHCP via export/import. If you're retiring the old DC, it's fine to keep the IP address, but make sure everything is verified and working smoothly first. And always run tests in a lab if you can before deploying in production.
A good approach is to set up new Domain Controllers rather than upgrading the old ones. Transfer the roles over to the new DCs and then you can decommission the old ones after everything is stable. If you're looking to keep things tidy, swap IP addresses during this transition so that there's less impact on clients and routers. Also, consider jumping to 2022 instead of 2025 because of potential Active Directory issues that have been reported.
Yeah, I heard the same! I've had friends run into various problems with their 2025 setups. Going with 2022 sounds like a safer bet right now.
Totally agree. I never reuse domain names after migration; it usually leads to all sorts of headaches later. Best to avoid that pitfall.
Exactly! Upgrading too quickly can lead to a lot of headaches, especially with all the critical roles a DC holds.