| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
aval
Honorable But Hopeless Addict
USA
3276 Posts
Status: offline |
 Posted - 06/11/2012 : 2:01:53 PM
|
I'm considering an in place upgrade from W2K3 SP2 to W2K8 SP2 on a server that is both a:
1) domain controller
2) file server - with DFS
Context:
-It does not look like we will have funds to acquire a brand new server.
- I have some spare Windows 2008 (not R2) licenses.
- I cannot move the data - at least not all of it - to another server or to the cloud (reservations of some of our "customers).
- Windows 2003 mainstream support ended on July 2010. Two years ago...
- I do not have a spare server to be the second DC.
Note: the first DC is running W2K8 R2.
I would rather NOT have the domain controller and file server role on the same server but implementation of better options is limited by resources. So... it looks like those two roles will have to coexist.
Now, I've always preferred clean OS installs and then moving "stuff" over.
On the other hand, an in place W2K3 SP2 - W2K8 SP2 upgrade is a suppported scenario (if not, go ahead and correct me).
What do other forum members think of this option?
Is it something you've done enough in the past, and successfully, to say that it (generally) does work?
----------------------------------------
I've just looked at installed programs and think it would be advisable - if not mandatory - to uninstall the AV, the UPS software, and any other third party software during the upgrade to avoid potential issues, correct?
Would I want to DCPromo demote first, upgrade, and then reinstall Directory Services on the upgraded server? Or is an in place upgrade of the DC role feasible as well? Advisable?
|
|
|
wkasdo
Administrator
Netherlands
7405 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 06/11/2012 : 2:06:41 PM
|
| Inplace upgrades work, and are supported. In addition to what you mentioned, be ready to deal with driver issues. Does the box have sufficient memory, and is the system disk large enough? |
Make it as simple as you can, but not simpler -- Albert Einstein |
 |
|
|
aval
Honorable But Hopeless Addict
USA
3276 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 06/11/2012 : 2:14:01 PM
|
Yes, on both counts I believe:
- 4 GB RAM
- 48 GB free space on C: drive
It's IBM x226 server, nothing exotic, so I should be able to find drivers.
Oh! It's 32 bit so I'll need to upgrade to W2K8 32 bit and CANNOT upgrade to W2K8 R2 (I think we all know why). |
|
|
|
aval
Honorable But Hopeless Addict
USA
3276 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 06/11/2012 : 2:17:00 PM
|
Now this is not happening tomorrow and I'll have time to read documentation, but for the AD part, I imagine the W2K8 install program is intelligent enough to see that the server is a DC, shuts down AD (?) replaces any necessary files, then restarts it?
So no need to demote first? |
|
|
|
wkasdo
Administrator
Netherlands
7405 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 06/11/2012 : 2:22:09 PM
|
> So no need to demote first?
No need. Other builtin services will come along as well, such as DNS/DHCP/WINS. |
Make it as simple as you can, but not simpler -- Albert Einstein |
|
|
|
aval
Honorable But Hopeless Addict
USA
3276 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 06/12/2012 : 3:54:51 PM
|
The server is a IBM x226.
Windows 2008 is apparently not supported.
Latest ServerGuide .iso (used to create a CD that facilitates OS install) I could find does not include drivers for W2K8. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Another W2K3 to W2K8 upgrade question - in place
