Forest and domain functional level Windows Server 2012 R2 - what's new?

Hi, I still can't find documentation about the new domain and forest functional levels in WS 2012 R2.
a) "What's New in Active Directory in Windows Server 2012 R2"
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn268294.aspx
No word about it.
b) "Understanding Domain and Forest Functional Levels"
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc771294.aspx
Still WS 2012.
Thorsten

For what's New in Active Directory in windows server 2012 R2,
Read the following Blog
http://policelli.com/blog/archive/2013/06/27/whats-new-in-active-directory-in-windows-server-2012-r2-preview/
Please remember, if you see a post that helped you please click "Vote As Helpful" and if it answered your question, please click "Mark As Answer".

Similar Messages

  • Exchange Server 2003 SP2 - Forest and Domain Functional Level Limitations

    Hi All
    Bit of a legacy question and theres not much clarity out there..
    I need to confirm the highest DFL and FFL Supported by Microsoft for Exchange 2003 SP2?
    We currently have a mix of 2003 R2 and 2008 R2 domain controllers with the FFL and DFL currently set at 2003 R2.
    The plan is to move to Exchange 2010 in the very near future, so the question is do we need to wait until we upgrade to Exchange 2010 Before upgrading the DFL and FFL to 2008 R2?
    From what Ive read we will need to complete the Exchange upgrade first before moving forward with the functional level upgrades..
    Thanks in advance
    Bull

    Hi Bull,
    As Ed mentioned, Exchange server 2003 and Exchange 2010 support Windows Server 2003 domain functional level and Windows Server 2003 forest functional level, also supported in higher environment.
    More details about it, please refer to “Supported Active Directory environment” section:
    http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff728623(v=exchg.150).aspx
    Note that we cannot add new DCs which are the less version of Windows Server
    cannot be added to the domain or forest. More details about
    the Impact of Upgrading the Domain or Forest Functional Level, for your reference:
    http://blogs.technet.com/b/askds/archive/2011/06/14/what-is-the-impact-of-upgrading-the-domain-or-forest-functional-level.aspx
    Best Regards,
    Allen Wang

  • Upgrading Forest and Domain Functional level

    Hi Everyone,
    If I have a mixed machines (Win2k3, Win 2k8 and Win2k12) and if I want to raise the forest and functional level to win2k12. Can I still have Win2k3 and Win2k8 machines as a member server? If yes, what would be the effect on the functionality of the machines?
    To give you info win2k3 are used for internal webservers and Win2k8 is use as a DFS server.

    Hiya,
    "Functional levels determine the available Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) domain or forest capabilities. They also determine which Windows Server operating systems you can run on domain controllers in the domain or forest. However,
    functional levels do not affect which operating systems you can run on workstations and member servers that are joined to the domain or forest."
    http://technet.microsoft.com/library/understanding-active-directory-functional-levels%28v=WS.10%29.aspx
    That said, you might have some applications running on those servers, which matches a specific domain version. Listing attributes in a certain order, expecting a certain name etc.

  • Upgrade a Domain Controller running Windows Server 2012 Datacenter Eval

    Hello,
    because I couldn't wait for Server 2012 to show up on Dreamspark Premium I installed the Datacenter evaluation version after I found this blog
    post telling me, I could simply enter my key when I get it to upgrade to the full version.
    After entering the command I get notified that "Changing this Windows edition is not supported online for a domain controller.".
    The TechNet article for upgrading evaluation versions states the following:
      "If the server is a domain controller, see http://technet.microsoft.com/library/hh472160.aspx for important steps to follow before proceeding."
    and taking me to an article for installing/uninstalling ADDS without further comments.
    Simply typing "slui 3" and entering my key states that I have to enter an eval key.
    My question is: Is there a painless way to upgrade my 2012 DC without losing my AD config?
    Regards,
    Hans

    Hi,
    Please refer to the following Microsoft TechNet article to confirm if the steps of converting to full retail version are correct.
    Evaluation Versions and Upgrade Options for Windows Server 2012
    http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj574204.aspx
    If the warning persists, it means Windows Server 2012 Domain Controller does not support such convert. If so, please install another Windows Server 2012 full retail version or
    convert to full retail version and then promote it to an additional Domain Controller for this domain. After that, transfer FSMOs to this new Domain Controller and demote the original Domain Controller.
    Regards,
    Arthur Li
    TechNet Community Support

  • Adding second domain controller in Windows server 2012 R2

    Hello, our primary domain controller is currently on a machine that has Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard. We are planning to setup a second domain controller as a failover to our primary domain controller. My question is, can we have a secondary domain
    controller on a Windows Server 2012 R2 even if our primary domain controller is on a machine that has Windows Server 2008 R2?

    I think I found the answer to my question.
    http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd464018(v=ws.10).aspx
    "In Windows Server 2012, Adprep.exe is integrated into the AD DS installation process and runs automatically as needed. For example, when you install the first domain controller that runs Windows Server 2012 into an existing domain and forest, then adprep
    /forestprep and adprep /domainprep automatically run and report the results of the operations.
    Some organizations may prefer to run Adprep.exe separately in advance of an AD DS installation. For this reason, Adprep.exe is also included in the \Support\Adprep folder of the operating system disk.
    In Windows Server 2012, there is only one 64-bit version of Adprep.exe. It can be run remotely from any server that runs a 64-bit version of Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, or Windows Server 2012. The computer where you run it can be either
    domain-joined or in a workgroup.
    The version of Adprep.exe in Windows Server 2012 includes new syntax and parameter options in order to run it remotely. For more information, see
    Adprep."
    For more information about the objects and containers that are created when the schema is extended to support Windows Server 2012, see
    Windows Server 2012: Changes to Adprep.exe.

  • Windows Domain Controller on Windows Server 2012 R2: Hyper-V roaming profiles not loading due to slow connection

    I have racked my brain and done everything that I know to do for about two weeks now.  I am setting up a new system at our fire department and I am having the worst luck with getting the workstations to login to the domain controller with roaming
    profiles.  It keeps telling me that the roaming profile could not be loaded because of a slow connection.  These are workstations that are connected directly to the switch that the DC is connected to.  I have tried multiple connections regarding
    the layout (DC into the router, router into the switch).  The router is a Cisco RV220W.  I have two VLANS, one for public and one for private domain.  The Private VLAN has DHCP turned off since I am providing it through the DC.  I currently
    have a connection from the Private VLAN going to the unmanaged switch that the workstations and server are plugged into.
    The server is a Dell PowerEdge R420 that has 6 NIC ports (1 dual port and 1 quad port).  I have a virtual switch setup on Hyper-V for an external port (let's say Card 2 Port 3) that is assigned to the WS 2012R2 Domain Controller.  The DC can see
    the internet fine and the workstations can connect to the shared folders on the server.  I can retrieve files by just using the computer name or FQDN.  The DC is also running DNS and DHCP.  The DNS has the _msdcs setup from when I installed
    the active directory role.  I have attempted to assign static IP addresses to the workstations:
    IP:                     10.0.0.80
    Subnet:             255.255.255.0
    IPV4 Gateway:  10.0.0.1
    IPV4 DNS:        10.0.0.12
    I've attempted "append the specific DNS suffix", I've "registered the connection in DNS", I've used "use this connections suffix in DNS registration".
    The server is assigned:
    IP:                     10.0.0.12
    Subnet:             255.255.255.0
    IPV4 Gateway:  10.0.0.1
    IPV4 DNS:         10.0.0.12
    The DNS entries have forwarders that forward to my ISP DNS servers for lookup
    I've enabled and disabled DHCP, I've installed a new VM just to create another DC to make sure that I didn't goof up when I created it.
    I've lost my patience with this project and am sinking fast.  Can someone please offer some advice as to what I've done wrong?  I've created this exact scenario at work many times but, I've never done it with Windows Server 2012.  Is this
    possibly something to do with the Dell PowerEdge server (Generation 12) with the SR-IOV?  I am going to attempt to work on it some more tomorrow when I get over there.  I think there may be an issue with the SR-IOV not being enabled on the machine
    through the Dell Bios.  Would the SR-IOV really cause the workstations to report a slow connection?  When I login at the domain controller the roaming profiles and folder redirection work fine so, I know the GPO settings are correct.  I don't
    have "ignore slow connections" or any of those GPO's set.  I need to get it working the correct way so, I didn't want to fool the server when there is another underlying problem.  Any help that someone can offer, I am more than willing
    to listen.  If you need more information, please ask.
    Thanks,
    Jay

    So, I've managed to research this some more since Thursday and I've come to the conclusion that Hyper-V does a horrible job of supporting Qualcomm NIC cards. That's the only thing I can conclude as far as where the issue is originating. I've read many
    post and walkthroughs but nothing that has helped. The issue wasn't with any settings in the domain controller. The issue was that there really is a slow connection originating at the domain controller that is a VM and has network connectivity through the
    virtual switch from Hyper-V. So, next question is, how do I get the DC to have better connectivity through the NIC that Hyper-V won't give it? If hyper-v would allow passthrough, this would be so much simpler. VM-ware is looking really good at this point.
    Im disappointed in MS right now.

  • Unable to install WSUS Updates KB720211 x64 and KB2734608-x64 on windows server 2012 r2 standard

    Hi,
    Am testing SCCM 2012 R2 in virtual environment. To handle Windows 8 clients, need to install KB2734608 update, which is failing.
    Not able to install WSUS Updates KB720211 x64 too. The server is on Windows Server Standard 2012 R2 x64.
    Any help will be appreciated.

    Hi,
    Agree with Michael. KB2734608 is applied to the WSUS 3.0 SP2. If we install the WSUS on Windows Server 2012 or later, the version of the WSUS becomes to v6.
    Best Regards.
    Steven Lee Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help and unmark them if they provide no help. If you have feedback for TechNet Support, contact [email protected]

  • Printing Problem with Epson LX-300+ii and LX-310 in Windows Server 2012 R2 64-bit

    I recently installed Windows Server 2012 R2 64-Bit.
    We have Printer Epson LX-300+ii and LX-310 (dot-matrix) that we share among users. Each user access the Server using Remote Desktop. From previous experience with Windows Server 2008, I knew that these printers will be problematic, especially regarding
    the Easy Print driver.
    And I was right, using the Easy Print driver, I got the following result:
    And so, I did manual mapping & disable the "Use Remote Desktop Easy Print printer driver first". Haha, what a surprise, I got the following result:
    And so I uninstalled the printer driver, and install it again, thinking that I might chose a wrong driver, but.... same result. I know for sure that I chose the correct driver.
    Next, I tried connecting the printer DIRECTLY to the server. Log-in to the Server directly,
    not using Remote Desktop. And tried printing again, haha... really... what a surprise... I got the same problem here !!!
    So now I know the problem is not the Easy Print driver, not mapping or registry problem either. It's the print driver. This is SUPER FRUSTRATING, I tried the same driver from the same CD in Windows 8.1 64-Bit with no problem. I tried it too in Windows 7
    32-Bit with no-problem either. But somehow, this driver is problematic in Windows Server 2012 R2.
    Any help? Anybody else bump into this same problem ? I'm close to giving up, been spending too much time figuring out this damn thing.
    Andy

    Hi Bulent Sahin,
    Thank you for your reply, I tried IBM Graphics driver, but the result is equally as bad. But your answer inspire me to try different drivers. And so, the closest & best driver that I could use now is EPSON ESC/P 9pin V4 Class Driver
    It's not as good as I would expect, but at least now, it's acceptable & readable. I can't believe that I'm the only one who have this problem
    Thank you Mr. Sahin

  • Using and synchronizing applications from Windows Server 2012 on local desktop

    I have Visual Studio 2010 on my remote server.  How do I use Visual Studio  software from the server on my local laptop and sync it with the server?

    Of course remote desktop assumes that the system is also properly licensed for Remote Desktop Connections.
    A little clarification on the OP's request might also be in order.
    "How do I use Visual Studio  software from the server on my local laptop and sync it with the server?"
     If you want to run VS on the server, using something like remote desktop services, it runs there and the data stays there.  Obviously you can redirect where VS will store data so that it stores data on your laptop, but then there is nothing to
    automatically synchronize it.  Maybe a more complete explanation of your issue would help.
    . : | : . : | : . tim

  • How do I setup Active Directory and Group Policy on Windows Server 2012?

    I work for a school district that uses a Windows 2012 server with about 400 Windows 7 PCs and 150 Mac PCs. We are set up with Roaming Profiles on the PCs and would like to be able to setup Active Directory, Group Policy, and Roaming Profiles on our macs. (We also have a mac server that they are using as a file server only) As we are a school, our funds are very low. Now for the questions...
    Is there a software that allow us to accomplish this?
    Is there a free solution or a very reduced price option to do this?
    I heard that http://www.centrify.com/products/mac-edition.asp may accomplish this and I read something about it on here but didn't know if this is what I was really trying to do becuase it was marked as "The Golden Triangle" and did not mention Raoming Profiles. This is the link though: https://discussions.apple.com/message/17200059#17200059
    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    The above reply does not take into account that I am trying to use GROUP POLICY EDITOR to make it the default browser.

  • Lync 2013 and Raising Forest/Domain Functional Level?

    My current forest and domain functional levels are 2008 R2. I know I can safely upgrade the functional levels in most cases, but I want to specifically know with regards to Lync.
    Our entire environment, including Lync, is running on Windows Server 2012 R2. (We have no domain joined clients.) We are running Lync 2013 Standard with all the latest updates.
    Can I safely raise the forest and domain functional levels to 2012 R2 without impacting Lync?

    Hi,
    Yes, you can raise Forest and domain function level to Windows Server 2012 R2 without issue.
    After raising Forest\domain function level, the new features that rely on the functional level are generally limited to AD itself. Regardless, changing the Domain or Forest Functional Level should have no impact on an application that depends on
    Active Directory.
    More details:
    http://blogs.technet.com/b/askds/archive/2011/06/14/what-is-the-impact-of-upgrading-the-domain-or-forest-functional-level.aspx
    Best Regards,
    Eason Huang
    Eason Huang
    TechNet Community Support

  • Domain Functional Level: 2008 R2 to 2012 R2

    My current forest and domain functional levels are 2008 R2. I know I can safely upgrade the functional levels in most cases, but I want to specifically know with regards to Lync.
    Our entire environment, including Lync, is running on Windows Server 2012 R2. (We have no domain joined clients.)
    Can I safely raise the forest and domain functional levels to 2012 R2 without impacting Lync?

    you can easily upgrade the funtional level without any issues since you have all the Domain Controllers on Win server 2008R2.
    http://support2.microsoft.com/kb/2869728/en-us
    For more details : Listed below link has the table which shows the effects of upgrading the domain functional levels to Windows 2012
    http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/understanding-active-directory-functional-levels
    pankaj(MCT)

  • Windows server 2012 as primary DC and DNS server and windows server 2003 as secondary DC and DNS

    Migration from windows server 2003 AD DC and DNS server to windows server 2012 R2,
    Cannot I set up Windows server 2012 R2 as primary DC and DNS  , windows server 2003 as secondary DC and DNS ? (for backup server when server 2012 fail, user can continue to login and access internet services)

    You can mix both as long as your Forest and Domain Functional level are Windows Server 2003. However, I would like to bring your attention to this blog about known problems when mixing DCs with Windows Server 2003 and 2012 R2 OS:
    http://blogs.technet.com/b/askds/archive/2014/07/23/it-turns-out-that-weird-things-can-happen-when-you-mix-windows-server-2003-and-windows-server-2012-r2-domain-controllers.aspx
    This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights.
    Ahmed MALEK
    My Website Link
    My Linkedin Profile
    My MVP Profile

  • Exchange 2007 RTM support with Windows Server 2012 R2 Domain Controller

    Hi All,
    I have not found any TechNet Article which states about the Windows Server 2012 R2 Active Directory domain controller operating system support with Exchange 2007 RTM, can some one please let me know that does Exchange 2007 RTM supports Windows Server 2012
    R2 domain controller operating system, we are in the process of upgrading the domain controllers to 2012 R2 but not the forest and domain functional level to 2012 R2.
    thanks
    If answer is helpful, please hit the green arrow on the left, or mark as answer. Salahuddin | Blogs:http://salahuddinkhatri.wordpress.com | MCITP Microsoft Lync

    There are several likely reasons for this.  The most significant is that Exchange 2007 RTM is no longer supported (outside ot extended support, which is not going to include adding support for new operating systems): 
    http://support2.microsoft.com/lifecycle/default.aspx?LN=en-us&p1=10926
    You'll note from the following -
    http://technet.microsoft.com/library/ff728623(v=exchg.150).aspx - that only Exchange 2007 SP3 is currently supported in any environment.
    HTH ...

  • Error Domain functional level

    Hi i have that error in my Domain Controller. Install Windows
    Server 2012 R2, and I want to raise the functional level.
    This Domain Controller no longer exists,
    but is within the domain.
    To update the domain functional level, the Active Directory Domain Controllers in the domain must be running the appropriate version of windows.
    domain Name
    xxxxxx.local
    Current domain functional level
    Windows Server 2008
    The following Active Directory Domain Controllers are running earlier versions of windows:
    domain Name    AD DC    Version of Windows
    xxxxxxx.local    server.xxxxxx.local    Windows Server® 2008 Standard 6.0 (6001)
    that I can
    do?

    it might be in the "LostAndFoundConfig" container in the Configuration partition.
    Something like this should be logged:
    Event Type: Warning
    Event Source: NTDS General
    Event Category: Directory Access
    Event ID: 1723
    Date: 6/4/2005
    Time: 7:39:52 AM
    User: NTDEV\A1ADCH
    Computer: NTDEV-DC-07
    Description:
    Active Directory failed to raise the functional level of the domain or forest
    because the following domain controller is at a lower functional level.
    Object (forest or domain):
    DC=ntdev,dc=corp,DC=microsoft,DC=com
    NTDS Settings object of domain controller:
    CN=NTDS Settings,CN=LostAndFoundConfig,CN=Configuration,DC=ntdev,DC=corp,DC=com
    For more information, see Help and Support Center at
    http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
    Delete the 'NTDSA' object from the "LostAndFoundConfig" container using ADSIEdit.
    Enfo Zipper
    Christoffer Andersson – Principal Advisor
    http://blogs.chrisse.se - Directory Services Blog

Maybe you are looking for

  • Creating Ports in MDM

    Hi , I have few basic doubts, we have created a test port in R/3 in transaction WE21 called DEBMDM, and a port in XI in transaction IDX1 called SAPEIT. I am using the business content for Customers, and am able to access the tables in MDM console. Wh

  • Can I use the Retina Display as an external display?

    Hi. I know it's not a huge issue- the graphics are amazing on the retina macbook pro. But I was wondering if I could use the screen on the laptop as an external display, say, for a desktop computer that would have a huge, power thirsty, heat sink, gr

  • Can't uninstall Office 2008 on Mountain Lion

    I recently bought a MacBook Pro and put my account on it, from Time Machine, from my previous MacBook. This included Office 2008 which I then had to reinstall in order to update the licence code (my wife has the old MacBook, so we couldn't both use O

  • What is the best Dell PC configuration to run Master Collection CS4

    Hi What is the best Dell Computer/PC configuration to run Adobe Master Collection CS4 smoothly. Also please mentione about the experiences with Dell(if possible with, Dell Australia) I am using a Dell Dimension 8400 bought in 2005 (2.8GHz, 2 GB DDR2

  • Error in execute T-code RSA1

    I've installed ECC5.0 and copy a new client 800 ,then I execute T-code RSA1 to call AWB but failed. The system message as below : You can only work in client 000.... but I can't do anything with RSA1 in client 000..why? can anybody help me to solve t