Upgrade Domain Functional Level From 2008r2 To 2012 R2
Downgrade domain functional level from 2012 r2 2012 to 2008r2 2008 to downgrade the domain forest functional level there are no gui tools but we can use the powershell command available in windows server 2008r2 2012 2012r2 for our requirement.
Upgrade domain functional level from 2008r2 to 2012 r2. For example to set the domain functional level to 2008 r2. Value of 3 windows server 2008 domain level. After you use the lightweight directory access protocol ldap tools to edit the functional level click ok to continue.
If you are going to raise functional levels to 2012 r2 all your domain controller must be running windows 2012 r2. The only purpose that having such ability would serve would be so that downlevel dcs could be added to the domain. The adprep which extends the schema does not need to be run from the fsmo role holders like in older versions so you should be able to just proceed with the role install then the dcpromo process.
When you install the first domain controller in a new windows server 2008 r2 forest functional levels are set by default to the following levels and they remain at these levels until you raise them manually. The second restriction for which there is a limited exception on windows server 2008 r2 is that once upgraded the domain or forest functional level cannot later be downgraded. Value of 4 windows server 2008 r2 domain level.
The attributes on the partitions container and on the domain head are correctly increased. Take a look at the article below for more info. Starting in windows server 2008 r2 however.
Get the current domain and forest functional levels. Since it looks like you still have a 2008 domain controller you must either upgrade it to 2012 r2 decommission it or stay at 2008r2 functional level. You cannot upgrade domain controllers that run windows server 2003 or 32 bit versions of windows server 2008.
Forest level windows server 2012. Domain controllers that run 64 bit versions of windows server 2008 or windows server 2008 r2 can be upgraded to windows server 2012. Upgrading functional levels in a new windows server 2008 r2 forest.