I'm curious about the challenges involved with upgrading your server environment, specifically for Domain Controllers (DCs). I've heard that moving from pre-2012 versions to 2012 or even up to the latest editions can be tricky. What's been your toughest upgrade experience? I'm particularly interested in insights on upgrades like 2012 to 2016, 2016 to 2019, or even 2019 to 2022. Any advice or lessons learned would be super helpful!
5 Answers
Always build new DCs. Upgrading them can lead to major hassles down the line and it's generally not recommended. Just spin up the new one, make sure it's replicating, and then shut down the old one.
For years, I've heard that in-place upgrades are risky. Every time I’ve upgraded, I’ve built a fresh server and migrated everything over just to avoid carrying over old problems. It might take longer, but it's safer.
I once did an upgrade from Exchange 2003 to 2010 during a data center move, and it was a nightmare! Took 36 hours of troubleshooting. After that, I swore off Exchange administration altogether.
Wow, sounds intense! I can imagine the stress during the migration, especially with that time frame.
In my 17 years of experience, I've never upgraded a DC directly. Instead, I've always spun up a new DC, transferred the necessary roles, and then retired the old one. This approach avoids a lot of potential headaches, especially if you're unsure of the upgrade process.
Exactly! I’ve done the same – I prefer moving roles off to a new DC and ensuring everything works smoothly before turning off the old one.
Right. It’s all about making sure your setup is clean and troubleshooting any issues that arise after transferring the roles.
I’ve found Windows upgrades can actually be pretty smooth, just stay away from SBS versions. But you also have to watch out for transitions from 32-bit to 64-bit, as that can create issues if you’re not prepared.
Definitely! Those kinds of transitions can catch you off guard if you're not careful.
Solid advice! I plan to go that route for my next upgrade too.