Raise forest functional level in windows server 2003

Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help. If you have feedback for TechNet Subscriber Support, contact tnmff microsoft. You have first migrate all domain controller in your forest to Windows server to be able to raise the forest functional level to Windows Please don't forget to mark the correct answer, to help others who have the same issue.

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Office Office Exchange Server. Not an IT pro? Resources for IT Professionals. Sign in. United States English. Ask a question. When choosing the forest functional level, do note that the domain functional level should be the same as the forest functional level or higher. Any new domain that is added to this forest will take the forest functional level by default. If at any point, you need to change the functional level of your forest, you can do so by following the steps given below.

You will see a list of forest functional levels that are available. Select the required functional level. In this case, select Windows Server Click Raise. You will get a warning message. Read the message, and click OK. Click OK on the confirmation dialogue box. Raising your forest functional level gives your forest access to new and improved AD DS functionalities.

However, there are also certain things to take care of before raising the functional level, so that all systems remain functional. Firstly, you will have to ensure that all the DCs in the forest are running the same Windows server version as the forest functional level you intend to have, or higher. If not, identify those DCs, and either upgrade their Windows Server versions or demote them as necessary. You will also have to ensure that the domain functional level is the same or higher than the forest functional level you intend to have.

These steps will ensure a smooth upgrade to the higher functional level of choice, and you will not have any nasty surprises after the upgrade process.

Forest functional level also dictates the minimum functional level at which all DCs in the forest should operate. This restriction, however, is only applicable to DCs. Member servers and workstations in the forest will remain unaffected. So, the best practice is to raise the domain functional level first and then raise the forest functional level. Although, raising the forest functional level will automatically raise the domain functional level too.

This way, you can use as many AD DS features as possible. When you deploy a new forest, you are prompted to set the forest functional level and then set the domain functional level.

You can set the domain functional level to a value that is higher than the forest functional level, but you cannot set the domain functional level to a value that is lower than the forest functional level. With the end of life of Windows Server , , and R2, these domain controllers DCs need to be updated to Windows Server , R2, , or As a result, any domain controller that runs Windows Server R2 and older should be removed from the domain.

For migration steps, you can either follow the procedures on TechNet or you can refer to the streamlined set of steps on the Storage Team File Cabinet blog. There have been no new forest or domain functional levels added since Windows Server Later operating system versions can and should be used for domain controllers, however they use Windows Server as the most recent functional levels.

The minimum requirement to add one a domain controller of one of these versions of Windows Server is a Windows Server functional level. This configuration is also known as "Smart card required for interactive logon". A new domain that is created on a domain controller that runs at least Windows Server R2 must be set to the Windows Server domain functional level or higher.

Domain-based DFS namespaces running in Windows Server Mode, which includes support for access-based enumeration and increased scalability.