In Place Upgrade RDS sever 2008 R2 running RDSSH role to 2012 R2

Question

I have a single RDS server 2008 R2 running the roles of RD Session Host configuration (RDSHC) only. I want to do a in place upgrade to Server 2012 R2. Is this possible and supported? Are there any step-by-step guides available? never done an in-place upgrade of RDS server in the past, any assistance /guidance would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Efat

Answer 1

Performing an in-place upgrade of your Windows Server 2008 R2 RDS to Windows Server 2012 R2 is possible, but there are some important considerations and steps to follow. Before proceeding, make sure you have a full backup of your server and data, as well as a rollback plan in case something goes wrong.

Here's a step-by-step guide to perform the in-place upgrade:

1. Ensure your current server environment meets the system requirements for Windows Server 2012 R2.
2. Before proceeding with the upgrade, make sure to install all available Windows updates and patches for your current Windows Server 2008 R2. This will ensure a smoother upgrade process.
3. Verify that all applications and services running on the server are compatible with Windows Server 2012 R2. Check with the vendors of any third-party software you're using for compatibility information.
4. Perform a full backup of your server, including system state, applications, and data. This is crucial in case you need to roll back to the previous version.
5. Temporarily disable any antivirus software and other security software on the server to avoid conflicts during the upgrade.
6. Insert the Windows Server 2012 R2 installation media or mount the ISO file.
7. Open the installation media or ISO file and run 'setup.exe'.
8. Choose the option to download and install updates, then click 'Next'. This will ensure you have the latest updates for the installation process.
9. Accept the license terms and click 'Next'.
10. Choose the 'Upgrade' option. This will start the in-place upgrade process. The system will check for compatibility issues and display a report if any issues are found. Resolve any issues before proceeding.
11. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the upgrade process. The server may restart several times during the process. After the upgrade is complete, you'll be prompted to log in to the Windows Server 2012 R2 environment.
12. Once the upgrade is complete, verify that all your applications, services, and configurations are working correctly. Re-enable your antivirus and other security software.
13. Update the RDS licensing to reflect the new server version. You may need to acquire new licenses for Windows Server 2012 R2 RDS.

Although in-place upgrades are supported, they can be risky, especially for critical services like RDS. If possible, consider setting up a new Windows Server 2012 R2 server with RDS roles, and then migrate your settings and data to the new server. This approach allows for a smoother transition and reduces the risk of downtime or data loss.

For more information on upgrading to Windows Server 2012 R2, consult the official Microsoft documentation: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/installation-options-for-windows-server-2012-r2-and-later