How to Upgrade Active Directory 2012 to 2016 – Roadmap to AD 2016 Migration!

Upgrading Active Directory (AD) from Windows Server 2012 to Windows Server 2016 is a critical task for IT administrators aiming to leverage new features, enhanced security, and improved performance. This guide provides a thorough, step-by-step approach to resolve this query i.e. how to upgrade Active Directory 2012 to 2016.

Active Directory is the backbone of many organizations’ IT infrastructure, managing user accounts, security policies, and resources. As technology evolves, so does the need to upgrade systems to take advantage of new features and improvements. Windows Server 2016 brings several enhancements over Windows Server 2012, including better security features, improved performance, and support for new technologies.

Needs for Upgrading Active Directory from 2012 r2 to 2016  

Upgrading Active Directory from Windows Server 2012 to 2016 offers significant advantages:

#Enhanced Security

• Strengthened protection against advanced threats and vulnerabilities.
• Improved defense against password-based attacks.
• Granular control over administrative privileges.

#Improved Performance and Scalability

• Faster authentication and authorization.
• Efficiently manage larger, more complex environments.

#Modern Features and Integration

• Seamless integration with cloud services.
• Advanced storage solutions for better performance and reliability.
• Support for modern applications and technologies.

#Simplified Management

• Streamlined administration with Windows Admin Center.
• Improved Group Policy Management for efficient policy control.

#Compliance and Future-Proofing

• Adherence to industry regulations and standards.
• Preparation for future technological advancements and scalability needs.
• Continued support and security updates.

How to Upgrade Active Directory 2012 to 2016- Preparation Plan & Consideration 

It is essential to have a proper plan & checklist for upgrading Active Directory from 2012 r2 to 2016 hassle-free:

#1. Assess the Current Environment

Before initiating the upgrade, you need to understand your existing AD environment. This includes:

• Current AD Forest and Domain Functional Levels: Check the functional levels to ensure compatibility. Windows Server 2016 supports forest and domain functional levels up to 2016.
• Existing Domain Controllers: Identify all current domain controllers and their roles.
• Replications and Trusts: Document any replication and trust relationships with other domains or forests.
• Applications and Services: List applications and services dependent on AD.

#2. Backup Your AD Environment

Before starting with the task i.e. how to upgrade Active Directory 2012 to 2016, creating a reliable backup is crucial to ensure you can recover your system in case of any issues during the upgrade. Steps include:

• System State Backup: Perform a system state backup of each domain controller. This includes AD DS, the registry, and other critical components.
• Full Backup of Domain Controllers: A full backup is essential for disaster recovery and includes all data on the domain controller.
• Take a full report: Using the AD Reporter solution one gets a detailed report for their ADs to confirm that they are healthy or not, which is crucial to ensure during the transition no error occurs.

#3. Review Hardware and Software Requirements to upgrade Active Directory 2012 to 2016 efficiently 

Ensure your hardware meets the requirements for Windows Server 2016:

• Processor: 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor
• RAM: Minimum of 2 GB, with 4 GB or more recommended
• Disk Space: Minimum of 32 GB

Ensure your software and applications are compatible with Windows Server 2016.

#4. Prepare Your AD Schema

Upgrading AD involves extending the schema. To prepare:

• Schema Master Role: Identify the domain controller holding the Schema Master role.
• Schema Update: Download the Windows Server 2016 schema update file from Microsoft. This file contains the necessary updates to the schema.

Now, Let’s Have a Look at the Manual Upgrade Procedure!

We divided the instructions to upgrade Active Directory 2012 to 2016 into phases to understand the steps more clearly & initiate the transition effortlessly: 

#1. Install Windows Server 2016 on New Hardware or Virtual Machines

You have two options: upgrade existing hardware or install a new server. If upgrading existing hardware:

• In-Place Upgrade: This method updates the existing server to Windows Server 2016. However, in-place upgrades are generally not recommended for domain controllers due to potential complications.

If installing new hardware:

• Prepare New Server: Install Windows Server 2016 on the new server. Ensure the server is patched and updated.

#2. Promote the New Server to a Domain Controller

Once Windows Server 2016 is installed:

• Add Roles and Features: Open Server Manager, and add the Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) role.
• Promote to Domain Controller:
  • Open the AD DS Configuration Wizard from Server Manager to upgrade Active Directory 2012 to 2016.
  • Choose Add a domain controller to an existing domain.
  • Enter domain credentials and select the appropriate domain.
  • Choose replication options and verify settings.
  • Complete the wizard and allow the server to reboot.

#3. Verify AD Replication

After promoting the new server, ensure AD replication is functioning correctly:

• Check Replication Status: Use the repadmin /replsummary command to check the replication status and resolve any issues.
• Verify Domain Controller Health: Run dcdiag to ensure the domain controller is functioning correctly.

#4. Transfer FSMO Roles

Flexible Single Master Operations (FSMO) roles are crucial for AD operations. Transfer these roles to the new domain controller:

• Identify FSMO Role Holders: Use netdom query fsmo to list current role holders.
• Transfer Roles to upgrade Active Directory 2012 to 2016:
  • Open Active Directory Users and Computers.
  • Right-click the domain and select Operations Masters.
  • In the Operations Masters dialog, transfer each role (Schema Master, Domain Naming Master, RID Master, PDC Emulator, Infrastructure Master) to the new domain controller.

#5. Demote Old Domain Controllers

Once the new server is functioning correctly and FSMO roles are transferred, you can demote the old domain controllers:

• Demote Domain Controllers:
  • Open Server Manager on the old domain controller.
  • Go to Manage > Remove Roles and Features.
  • Deselect Active Directory Domain Services and proceed through the wizard to demote the server.
  • Follow the prompts and restart the server.

#6. Clean Up AD and DNS to Effortlessly Upgrade Active Directory 2012 to 2016

After demoting old domain controllers:

• Remove Old Metadata: Use ntdsutil to clean up any lingering metadata for the old domain controllers.
• Update DNS Records: Ensure DNS records are updated and no old domain controller records remain.

Minimize Downtime & Manual Risk with Tried & Tested Smart Utility!

Manual migration of Active Directory from 2012 to 2016 is a daunting task, fraught with complexities and potential pitfalls. It requires extensive planning, scripting, and manual intervention, which can be time-consuming & error-prone. This is where a dedicated migration tool like SysTools AD Migration comes into play.

By automating the migration process, it offers a significantly more efficient and reliable solution. It handles complex tasks such as user profile migration, password synchronization, and object mapping with ease. The tool’s ability to handle large-scale migrations, including inter-forest and intra-forest scenarios, makes it suitable for organizations of all sizes. Additionally, features like delta sync-up and retry failed migration ensure data integrity and minimize downtime.

Understanding its functionalities in detail- 

• Delta sync-up: Efficiently handles changes made to Active Directory objects after the initial migration.
• Retry failed migration: Ensures data integrity by automatically retrying failed migration attempts.
• CSV mapping: Facilitates easy mapping of objects between source and destination Active Directories.
• Multiple job creation: Allows for simultaneous migration of different AD objects.
• Comprehensive migration: Supports the migration of users, groups, computers, contacts, printers, and organizational units.

Learn to Use this Solution to Upgrade Active Directory 2012 to 2016 – Simultaneously 

Step 1. Start by logging in using the provided default credentials: ‘administrator’ for both username and password.

Step 2. Register your primary Domain Controller: Enter the Domain Friendly Name, IP Address, and administrative credentials.

Step 3. Add additional Domain Controllers (if applicable): Click the ‘+’ icon to input details for each controller.

Step 4. Discover Active Directory objects in your source and destination domains.

Step 5. Specify source and target domains, giving them a clear name.

Step 6. Select objects to migrate, set password policies, and assign a task name.

Step 7. Map source objects to their destination counterparts: Choose ‘Merge’ or ‘Create’ for each object and verify accuracy.

Step 8. Begin the migration and monitor its progress for completion.

Post-Upgrade Considerations – Upgrade Active Directory 2012 to 2016

Performing the post-migration task is crucial to ensure a successful transition, and the key points to remember are: 

#1. Update Group Policy

Review and update Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to take advantage of new features and settings available in Windows Server 2016.

#2. Document Changes

Update your documentation to reflect the changes in your AD environment, including new domain controllers, FSMO role holders, and any changes in GPOs or configurations.

#3. Plan for Future Upgrades

Regularly review your upgrade plans and schedules. Keeping your environment up-to-date helps maintain security and compatibility with new technologies.

Author’s Suggestion!

Upgrading Active Directory from Windows Server 2012 to Windows Server 2016 is a significant task that requires careful planning and execution. By following the steps to upgrade Active Directory 2012 to 2016, you can ensure a smooth transition to a more secure and capable AD environment. Regular backups, thorough testing, and ongoing monitoring will help maintain a stable and efficient directory service.