This video will perform an in-place upgrade of Windows Server 2012 Domain Controller to Windows Server 2012 R2. An in-place upgrade will keep the existing documents and settings on the server. Windows Server 2012 R2 is consider an incremental upgrade as it adds features to the operating system rather than make major changes to the operating system.
1) Before installing the first Windows Server 2012 R2 Domain Controller, all existing Domain Controllers need to be upgraded to Windows Server 2003 or above.
2) ADPrep /ForestPrep needs to be run once in the forest. ADPrep can be found on the Windows Server 2012 R2 DVD. It only needs to be run once before the first Windows Server 2012 R2 Domain Controller is deployed. You should use the latest DVD that you have to make sure that your schema is the most recently update as possible.
3) ADPrep /DomainPrep needs to be run in each domain that you plan to deploy Windows Server 2012 R2 Domain Controllers. It only needs to be run once.
If you want to try Windows Server 2012 R2, you can add it at any time to the domain as a member server. You do not need to run ADPrep before adding the Windows Server 2012 R2. This is only required if the server is a Domain Controller or being promoted to a Domain Controller.
Demonstration
In this demonstration NYDC1, which is running Windows Server 2012, will be upgraded to Windows Server 2012 R2.
1) In order to perform an in-place upgrade, the operating system that you want to upgrade needs to be booted. When this is booted the setup program needs to be run from the DVD to start the upgrade process.
2) Once the setup has started, select the option install now.
3) Since an operating system is already loaded, setup has access to the networking on the operating system and thus can download updates before the install starts. It is a good idea to download updates before the install as this may help the upgrade run smoother.
4) The next screen will ask for your product key. The product key will determine which edition of Windows will be installed.
5) The next screen will ask which edition for Windows Server you will install. Generally the option here will be server core and GUI. The particular edition that will show is the editions on the DVD that are compatible with the product key that you entered.
6) This screen will ask you to accept the license agreement. It is just a matter of ticking the tick box and moving on.
7) On the “what type of installation do you want”, the top option “Upgrade: Install Windows and keep files, settings and applications” needs to be selected. This will upgrade the existing operating system. The second option “custom: install Windows only (advanced)” will install a fresh copy of Windows and thus any programs, documents or settings will not be kept.
8) Setup will perform a compatibility check of the system. This will check for any known problems that may cause problems with the upgrade. For example, if there is not enough memory in the computer this will be reported. However, 3rd party software is not tested, so you will need to check with your vendor if this software is compatible.
ADPrep
ADPrep is found on the setup DVD in the folder source\ADPrep\ADPrep.exe
Run ADPrep /ForestPrep once in the forest.
Run ADPrep /DomainPrep once in each domain.
Once complete, you can run the command RepAdmin /SyncAll /APeD
This command will force a sync to all the other Domain Controllers in the domain. It is a good idea to wait for a domain sync after running ADPrep if you are planning to deploy a Domain Controller shortly after running ADPrep
References
“Install and Deploy Windows Server 2012” http://technet.microsoft.com/library/hh831620.aspx
“System Requirements and Installation Information for Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview” http://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/library/dn303418.aspx
Credits
Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012
