Advanced Course on Migrating Domain Controllers from Windows Server 2012 to Windows Server 2019

Course Introduction
This comprehensive course is designed to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully migrate domain controllers from Windows Server 2012 to Windows Server 2019 in an offline environment. The course covers best practices for transferring critical components such as Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, user profiles, and other essential configurations. Participants will learn to perform secure, efficient migrations, ensuring minimal downtime and maintaining operational continuity during the transition to the new server environment.

Course Objectives
By the conclusion of this course, participants will be proficient in:

• Planning and executing domain controller migrations within an offline environment.
• Migrating core services and configurations, including Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and user profiles.
• Updating domain and forest functional levels to meet organizational requirements.
• Safely modifying server gateways and decommissioning legacy domain controllers.

Course Outline

Day 1: Migration Preparation
Introduction to the Migration Process

• Overview of the end-to-end migration workflow, with a particular emphasis on offline migration strategies.
• Key considerations for ensuring a smooth migration transition.

Assessing the Existing Domain Environment

• Inventorying current domain controllers and identifying network dependencies.
• Reviewing existing configurations and network settings to ensure compatibility with the new environment.

Planning for Domain and Forest Functional Level Upgrades

• Understanding the significance of upgrading to functional levels compatible with Windows Server 2019.
• Assessing compatibility and benefits of migrating to 2016 functional levels.

Preparing the New Windows Server 2019 Environment

• Initial setup and configuration steps for preparing Windows Server 2019 as the migration target.
• Ensuring Active Directory is appropriately configured in the new environment.

Backup and Recovery Planning

• Implementing a robust backup strategy, including system backups and Active Directory snapshots.
• Preparing for potential recovery scenarios in the event of migration challenges.

Day 2: Setting Up New Domain Controllers
Installing Active Directory on Windows Server 2019

• Detailed steps for installing Active Directory Domain Services on Windows Server 2019.
• Best practices to ensure optimal domain controller functionality.

Configuring Network Settings for New Domain Controllers

• Network configuration essentials, including IP settings and gateway configuration for offline migration.
• Ensuring seamless connectivity within the new server environment.

Migrating DNS to New Domain Controllers

• Methods for migrating DNS configurations, including exporting and importing DNS records.
• Verifying DNS functionality and configuring forwarders on the new domain controller.

Migrating DHCP to New Domain Controllers

• Step-by-step process for transferring DHCP scopes, reservations, and configuration settings to the new domain controller.
• Ensuring service continuity during the DHCP migration.

Testing DNS and DHCP Functionality

• Testing and verifying DNS resolution and DHCP functionality on the new domain controller.
• Troubleshooting common DNS and DHCP migration issues.

Day 3: Migrating User Profiles and Roaming Profiles
Overview of User Profile Migration

• Understanding the process and options for transferring user data, particularly roaming profiles.
• Ensuring user data integrity during migration.

Migrating Roaming Profiles and Updating Profile Paths

• Steps to successfully migrate roaming profiles and update profile paths within Active Directory.
• Ensuring user profiles are accessible on the new domain controller.

Ensuring Data Integrity During Profile Migration

• Techniques for preserving profile data and ensuring no corruption during migration.
• Verifying user profile data after the migration.

Testing Profile Access and Permissions

• Testing user access to profiles and verifying appropriate permissions and settings.
• Identifying and resolving common profile migration issues.

Day 4: Upgrading Functional Levels and Transferring FSMO Roles
Understanding Domain and Forest Functional Levels

• Key concepts and benefits of raising domain and forest functional levels to support Windows Server 2019 features.
• Compatibility considerations for functional level upgrades.

Raising Domain Functional Level

• Step-by-step process for upgrading the domain functional level to 2016.
• Testing and validating the new functional level.

Raising Forest Functional Level

• Implications of upgrading the forest functional level and ensuring compatibility across all domain controllers.
• Verification procedures for forest-level upgrades.

Transferring FSMO Roles

• Understanding Flexible Single Master Operations (FSMO) roles and their significance.
• Detailed steps for transferring FSMO roles to the new domain controller.

Verifying FSMO Role Transfers

• Methods for confirming successful FSMO role transfers.
• Troubleshooting and resolving common FSMO role transfer issues.

Day 5: Post-Migration Tasks and System Cleanup
Updating Server Gateways

• Configuring the network to route traffic through the new domain controller’s gateway, optimizing connectivity.
• Validating the updated network settings.

Demoting Legacy Domain Controllers

• Best practices for safely demoting and removing Windows Server 2012 domain controllers post-migration.
• Ensuring no disruption to the domain after decommissioning legacy servers.

Validating the New Domain Controller Environment

• Comprehensive testing of the new domain controller environment, ensuring DNS, DHCP, and other services are fully operational.
• Verifying user profile migration and access.

Ongoing Monitoring and Maintenance

• Post-migration monitoring strategies to detect and resolve potential issues early.
• Implementing best practices for long-term system stability and maintenance.

Wrap-Up and Q&A Session

• Recap of key concepts covered throughout the course.
• Open forum for questions and discussion, with practical solutions to common migration challenges.

Conclusion
Upon completion of this course, participants will possess the knowledge and hands-on experience required to successfully manage the migration of domain controllers from Windows Server 2012 to Windows Server 2019. This includes mastering core migration tasks, such as DNS, DHCP, Active Directory, and user profiles, as well as updating functional levels, transferring FSMO roles, and safely decommissioning legacy systems.