Secondary AD?

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!

February 8th, 2015 6:14pm

Yes,, you can add Server 2008 R2 to the domain and promo to DC.   Essentials will be the root of the forest and hold all the FSMO roles so if it goes off line you need to recover it or take immediate measures to move the roles to the 2008 R2
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February 8th, 2015 6:27pm

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!

February 8th, 2015 7:34pm

You need to confirm your domain functional level, as 2012 R2 Level will only support 2012 R2 Domain Controllers.

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/understanding-active-directory-functional-levels(v=ws.10).aspx

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.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/aman/archive/2012/12/29/step-by-step-guide-to-lower-active-directory-functional-level.aspx

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February 9th, 2015 6:39am

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