Question about Active Directory Domain Controllers

jamesp81 · Dec 18, 2013

We are setting up a new domain in my company. Our first domain controller will be a Windows Server 2012 machine. The domain is already configured at this time, but we don't have anyone on it just yet. We will be adding secondary domain controllers at our branch offices as time goes on, but the servers we already have in those locations are a little older (we've had them doing other things than Active Directory up until now) and Windows Server 2008 R2.

Can Windows Server 2008 R2 be joined as a domain controller in a Server 2012 domain?

laviniuc · Dec 18, 2013

i know from personal experience that 2003 and 2008 could communicate but i have never tried 2008 to 2012. in theory it should be no problem.

bourgeoisdude · Dec 18, 2013

Server 2008 and 2008 R2 DCs can work in conjunction with Server 2012/2012 R2 DCs as long as you are running your domain and forest at 2008 functional level. However, if you created your 2012 Domain without any 2008 or earlier Domain Controllers, it assumes you will not be using them unless you specified otherwise.

http://technet.microsoft.com/library/understanding-active-directory-functional-levels%28v=WS.10%29.aspx

jamesp81 · Dec 18, 2013

bourgeoisdude :

That's the rub. We set our 2012 Domain Controller to a 2012 functional level. Will we need to bring the domain down and reconfigure it to reset our functional level to 2008?

bourgeoisdude · Dec 18, 2013

Apparently now you can lower the functional levels using Powershell, as long as Active Directory Recycle Bin hasn't been activated: http://blogs.technet.com/b/infratalks/archive/2012/12/11/step-by-step-guide-to-lower-active-directory-functional-level.aspx

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Question about Active Directory Domain Controllers

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