Raise the Forest functional level

Question

I am running one Domain Controller on Windows Server 2012 R2 DataCenter.  Right now both the forest functional level and the domain functional level is at Server 2003.  I want to raise both the forest functional level and the domain functional
level to Server 2008 R2.  
Question:  Do I need to update the Schema before I try to Raise the forest functional level or before I try to Raise the domain functional level?
Question: Once I Raise both the forest functional level to Server 2008 R2 it is best to not move past that point to Server 2012 R2. I only have one Domain Controller in the domain?  
Van R. Johnson

Answer 1

Question:  Do I need to update the Schema before I try to Raise the forest functional level
or before I try to Raise the domain functional level?
No, the schema is already updated.
Question: Once I Raise both the forest functional level to Server 2008 R2 it is best to not move
past that point to Server 2012 R2. I only have one Domain Controller in the domain?  
By raising your DFL and FFL to Windows Server 2008 R2, you will no longer be able to have a DC running an OS that is lower than Windows Server 2008 R2 (You can lower that to Windows Server 2008 as long as AD Recycle Bin is not enabled). As this the only
DC within your domain / forest then simply raise the DFL and FFL to Windows Server 2012 R2 (You can lower it later if required) and that way you can take full advantages of what is mentioned here: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/understanding-active-directory-functional-levels(v=ws.10).aspx
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Ahmed MALEK
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