Microsoft Lab 6 – Server Upgradation

Server Upgradation

In Lab 6 - Server Upgradation, participants typically undergo the process of upgrading a Windows Server installation to a newer version, such as upgrading from Windows Server 2012 to Windows Server 2016 or later. This lab involves tasks like preparing for the upgrade, executing the upgrade process, and verifying the successful completion of the upgrade. Participants may explore options for in-place upgrades or migrations depending on their specific requirements. The lab aims to provide hands-on experience in planning and executing server upgrades, ensuring a smooth transition to the latest server operating system while preserving critical configurations and services. Successful completion of Microsoft Lab 6 equips participants with practical skills in upgrading Windows Server installations, a crucial aspect of maintaining an up-to-date and secure server infrastructure.

Lab:

If you want to move to a newer version of Windows Server on the same hardware, one way that always works is a clean installation, where you just install the newer operating system directly over the old one on the same hardware, thus deleting the previous operating system. That is the simplest way, but you will need to back up your data first and plan to reinstall your applications.
If you want to keep the same hardware and all the server roles you have set up without flattening the server, upgrading is an option—and there are lots of ways to do it. In the classic upgrade, you go from an older operating system to a newer one, keeping your settings, server roles, and data intact.
The extended support for Windows Server 2008 R2/Windows Server 2008 ends in January of 2020. To ensure no gap in support, you need to upgrade to a supported version of Windows Server
For on-premises servers, there is no direct upgrade path from Windows Server 2008 R2 to Windows Server 2016 or later. Instead, upgrade first to Windows Server 2012 R2, and then upgrade to Windows Server 2016.

Steps

Install Server 2008R2
Assign static IP
Create Domain and Users
Insert ISO to the Virtual CD-R Drive using the Vmware console settings
Prepare the Schema üNow Run 2012R2 set-up
Choose in Install option – Upgrade

STEP 1 : Domain creation in Server 2008

Open Run (by pressing windows+R) and type in dcpromo

Click Next

Click Next

Select Create a new domain in a forest

NOTE: DCPromo (Domain Controller Promoter) is a tool in Active Directory that installs and removes Active Directory Domain Services and promotes domain controllers.

Type in FQDN of the forest root domain as rst.com

Set Forest functional level (Windows Server 2003 – Leave it by default), click Next

Set Domain functional level (Windows Server 2003 – Leave it by default), click Next

On Additional Domain Controller Options page leave DNS server option checked and Click Next

On Location for Database, Log Files and SYSVOL page**,** leave the default locations as it is and click Next

Set DSRM password and Click Next

Make sure you picked all the right options and click Next

Usually takes a few minutes

Click Finish and Restart Now Windows will restart and start applying all the setting changes necessary to make this server an Active Directory Domain Controller

STEP 2: Adding OU & Users in Server 2008

In Server Manager, expand Roles -> expand Active Directory Domain Services -> expand Active Directory Users and Computers -> expand rst.com -> Right click users -> Click New -> Users.

STEP 3: Insert ISO to the Virtual CD-R Drive

Right click on Virtual machine -> go to Settings

STEP 4: Prepare Schema

cd d:
cd support
cd adprep
adprep /forestprep
C (Press Enter)
adprep /domainprep

Now Run 2012R2 set-up and proceed for Upgradation

Choose in Install option – Upgrade

STEP 5 : Verification

Make sure that all of the server roles and features that had been set up during server 2008 are available in the New upgraded version with keeping your settings, server roles, and data intact.