We are building a new Domain at our site. We have 4 servers. 2 have licenses for Wind2008R2, while the other 2 we are planning to buy Windows2012 OR Windows 2008.

Question: We want to re-install and build a new domain with Windows 2012 DCs, and leave the remaining 2 servers hosting Lync and Exchance 2010 on Windows 2008. Will we run into any problems?

         What are the risks involved in keeping the Lync and Exchange servers at 2008 R2 while installing new domain servers with Windows 2012 R2? Would it be wiser to put Lync and Exchange on 2012 R2 as well as the domain servers?
         Or... Should we just not purchase 2012, and install everything fresh with 2008 R2?

Our plan:

1. Install Win2012 on ServerA, Install Win2012 on ServerB, create Domain

2. Install Win2008R2 on ServerC, join to Domain (which is running at Win2012 Level)

3. Install Lync 2010 on ServerC (Hope that it works with no problems???)

4. Install Win2008R2 on ServerD, join to Domain (which is running at Win2012 Level)

3. Install Exchange 2010 on ServerD (Hope that it works with no problems???)

Does anyone have any advice on this subject?

• Edited by Calvin Siennariviera Monday, January 20, 2014 5:36 AM

Lync Servers support Windows 2008 R2 or later
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg398588.aspx

Exchange Servers support Windows 2008 R2 or Later (except Windows 2012 R2 is not supported yet)
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa996719(v=exchg.150).aspx

If you keep those requirements in mind you should be fine.