Is Raising the Domain and Forest Functional Levels the Solution to Add the First Windows Server 2022 Domain Controller?
Question
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Your network contains a single-domain Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) forest named contoso.com. The functional level of the forest is Windows Server
2012 R2. All domain controllers run Windows Server 2012 R2.
Sysvol replicates by using the File Replication Service (FRS).
You plan to replace the existing domain controllers with new domain controllers that will run Windows Server 2022.
You need to ensure that you can add the first domain controller that runs Windows Server 2022.
Solution: You raise the domain and forest functional levels.
Does this meet the goal?
Answers
Explanations
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A. B.B
Instead migrate sysvol from FRS to Distributed File System (DFS) Replication.
Note: Do I need to change SYSVOL replication from FRS to DFS? If your domain is built based on Windows server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2, you are already using DFS for SYSVOL replication. If you originally migrated from Windows server 2003, it's more likely you are still using FRS. In that case, before migration, you need to change the SYSVOL replication method from FRS to DFS.
https://www.rebeladmin.com/2021/09/step-by-step-guide-active-directory-migration-from-windows-server-2008-r2-to-windows-server-2022/The solution provided in the question of raising the domain and forest functional levels will not be sufficient to meet the goal of adding the first domain controller that runs Windows Server 2022. Therefore, the answer is B. No.
The functional level of the forest determines the set of features that are available in AD DS, and it must be compatible with the operating system version of the domain controllers that are running in the forest. When raising the functional level, it will provide access to new features and functionality of the domain, but it will not upgrade the domain controllers.
In this scenario, the existing domain controllers are running Windows Server 2012 R2, and the new domain controllers will run Windows Server 2022. Therefore, it will be necessary to prepare the existing AD DS environment for the introduction of new domain controllers running a newer operating system version.
The first step would be to upgrade the FRS to Distributed File System Replication (DFSR), which is the recommended replication method for AD DS since Windows Server 2008. DFSR is more efficient, scalable, and has better performance than FRS.
After upgrading the FRS to DFSR, the next step would be to introduce a new domain controller running Windows Server 2022. This can be achieved by performing the following steps:
Prepare the existing forest and domain for a domain controller that runs Windows Server 2022. This involves running adprep.exe on the schema master and the infrastructure master, which extends the AD schema to support the new operating system version.
Install Windows Server 2022 on the new domain controller hardware.
Promote the new domain controller to a domain controller in the existing AD DS forest. This will ensure that it has the same configuration and replicates data from the other domain controllers.
Verify that replication is working correctly and that the new domain controller is receiving updates.
Transfer any FSMO roles from the old domain controllers to the new domain controller.
Decommission the old domain controllers by demoting them.
In summary, raising the functional level of the forest will not be sufficient to add the first domain controller that runs Windows Server 2022. The FRS should be upgraded to DFSR, and the existing AD DS environment should be prepared for the new operating system version by running adprep.exe. Once these steps are completed, a new domain controller running Windows Server 2022 can be added to the domain.
