We're using Windows 2012 R2 Essentials edition as the main Domain Controller. We would like to have a back domain controller. Is it possible to have the backup (secondary) AD running Windows 2008 R2? We already license for 2008 R2 Standard as well as the client licenses. Thank you!
Thank you. Anything special we need to set on the 2012 R2 Essentials? I believe we have it running as 2012 R2 domain level. Is there any tutorials on how to do this? We just have the AD a few months ago and I'm pretty new to all this. We were in a workgroup before. Thank you!
You need to confirm your domain functional level, as 2012 R2 Level will only support 2012 R2 Domain Controllers.
Are you running the Essentials SKU or Essentials Experience Role?
(Get-ADDomain).DomainMode (Get-ADForest).ForestMode
If you run these in PowerShell it should tell you your Domain and Forest Mode.
My Lab SKU Server is on 2012R2 Mode.
You can lower the mode though, using PowerShell.