We have one 2012 R2 Essentials as the primary DC.  We just added another 2012 R2 Essentials as a secondary DC but we get this message: "The FSMO Role Check detected a condition in your environment that is out of compliance with the licensing policy. The Management Server must hold the primary domain controller and domain naming master Active Directory roles. Please move the Active Directory roles to the Management Server now.

Resolution: Ensure that the FSMO roles are located on this server to prevent the server from shutting down"

Is it not possible to have TWO 2012 R2 Essentials as DCs (one primary and one backup)?  If yes, then how can we fix the warning message above?

Thank you!

Edited: We don't want to transfer FSMO roles to the secondary server.  The purpose is a backup DC.  Please help!

• Edited by tkkATLive Thursday, June 25, 2015 5:32 PM

If we cannot use the second server as backup DC, I'm guess we can demote it and use it as the member of the domain, correct?  Thank you!

Hi tkkATLive,

No, you cannot have more then one Essentials server on a network.  This will not work as a backup DC.  And I would not suggest demoting it, on Essentials it is built into the server to be a DC, demoting it may break several things, and might be out of license for the server as well.

The solution you are looking for is purchasing Windows Server 2012 R2 standard, and installing it as a DC with the Essentials experience on it.  This can be a backup DC for an Essentials server.  Unfortunately I don't have websites to point you to for this. 

Essentials wants to be the FSMO holder in the domain, and this is the reason you can only have one.  But again, 2012 standard with Essentials experience would be a solution for you if you do need a backup DC, or member servers as well. 

that sucks... we already purchase another copy of 2012 R2 Essentials and it is running as the secondary DC right now.  We just get that warning message. 

Are you saying that we cannot use Two 2012 R2 Essentials at all?  We can't just removed AD services on the second server and have it as the member of the domain?

Can we have 2008 R2 Standard as the backup DC then?  We do have 2008 R2 standard licenses and CALs for them.

Thank you!

• Edited by tkkATLive Thursday, June 25, 2015 6:47 PM

Hi,

The Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials once deployed, must be the domain controller at the root of the forest and domain, and must hold all the FSMO roles. It can only be deployed into a single domain. Also, a read-only domain controller cannot exist in this domain. In migration mode, there is 21-day grace period for you to have 2 essentials. 

More information you may reference Deploying Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials in an Existing Active Directory Environment:
http://blogs.technet.com/b/sbs/archive/2014/02/21/deploying-windows-server-2012-r2-essentials-in-an-existing-active-directory-environment.aspx

We may add another server, except for Essentials, such as Windows Server 2008, Windows Server Essentials Experiences a Member Server:
Differences Between Windows Server Essentials And The Windows Server Essentials Experience Role
http://blogs.technet.com/b/ausoemteam/archive/2015/06/26/differences-between-essentials-and-experience.aspx
Add Windows Server Essentials as a Member Server
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn486837.aspx

Best Regards,
Eve Wang

Thank you Eve.  So if I understand you correctly, we could have the followings:

1. Windows 2012 R2 Essential edition as Primary DC
   
2. Windows 2012 R2 Standard or Windows 2008 R2 Standard as secondary DC.
3. AND Windows 2012 R2 Standard, Windows 2012 Standard, Windows 2008 R2 Standard as members.

We have less than 20 users but have 35-40 workstations/servers.  We shouldn't have any license issue correct?

With the configurations above (1-3), we shouldn't have any issues converting Windows 2012 R2 Essential edition (as Primary DC) to Standard edition later?

Thank you!

Hi,

Neither RODC nor Secondary DC is allowed in Essentials domain. You may add member servers to sharing the workload.

Best Regards,
Eve Wang

Additional DCs are absolutely allowed. They just have to be in the same domain because of the "no trusts" rule, and they can't hold FSMO roles.

Hi,

Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials can only be deployed into a single domain. Also, a read-only domain controller cannot exist in this domain.

Quote form Deploying Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials in an Existing Active Directory Environment:
http://blogs.technet.com/b/sbs/archive/2014/02/21/deploying-windows-server-2012-r2-essentials-in-an-existing-active-directory-environment.aspx

Besides, it is also mentioned in the following link:
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn281793.aspx

Best Regards,
Eve Wang