Upgrade Active Directory Server 2016 from Windows Server 2012 R2/2008/2003: Is windows server 2016 can coexistence with windows server 2003? Can I do in-place upgrade from windows server 2003 or windows server 2008/2012 R2? Which is supported and which is not supported and how can I plan Active Directory upgrade path from my old legacy windows server 2003/2008 R2/2012 R2 to 2016
Will discuss unsupported operating systems and how to introduce windows server 2016 with Active Directory 2016? and active directory 2016 compatibility matrix
Also Read: Active Directory 2016 New Features
Supported in-place upgrade paths
You can do in-place upgrade only if you are running windows server 2012 operating system, this can’t be done with nay other old legacy operating systems like windows server 2008/2003
Domain controllers that run 64-bit versions of Windows Server 2012/2012 R2 operating system can be upgraded to Windows Server 2016 (Windows Server 2016 only comes in a 64-bit version, won’t support upgrade from 32-bit), more details
Also Read: Windows Server Containers Features on Windows Server 2016
Prerequisites
Domain Functional Level should be at least Windows 2008 mode. This is the minimum required Domain Functional Level that would allow Windows Server 2016 Domain Controller installation.
Also Read: Virtualized Active Directory without Physical Domain Controller
Not supported
Windows Server 2003 DFL and FFL (Forest and Domain Functional Levels) have no longer supports Windows Server 2016
Also Read: Nano Server Features on Windows Server 2016
Supported
Windows Server 2016 DFL and FF, Supported Domain Controller Operating Systems are Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2012 R2 DFL and FF, Supported Domain Controller Operating Systems are Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server 2012 DFL and FF, Supported Domain Controller Operating Systems are Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2008 R2 DFL and FF, Supported Domain Controller Operating Systems are Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows Server 2008 DFL and FF, Supported Domain Controller Operating Systems are Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008
Windows Server 2003 DFL and FF, Supported Domain Controller Operating Systems are Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2000 DFL and FF, Supported Domain Controller Operating Systems are Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2000, more details
Also Read: Active Directory (AD) Real Time Interview Questions and Answers
Also Read: Can we Replace on-premise Domain Controller with Cloud-based Active Directory
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‘Windows Server 2003 DFL and FFL (Forest and Domain Functional Levels) have no longer supports Windows Server 2016″
if no longer support then why while ADdomain services configuration wizard shows the FFL and DFL in dropdownlist windows server 2003 ?
please advise
thanks