_:n5d205736d85f4ccf8913d057aad5b9a3xb1
<http://schema.org/text>
"Hi guys, Your help would be much appreciated.. I'm looking at upgrading my 1X Server 2008R2 and the remaining 2012R2 DC's to 2016 Datacenter. I've recently taken over this SysAdmin position and just getting familiar with the environment. I'm looking for some assistance with the steps I should take from the beginning to end with comleting these upgrades, my concerns are:\nAt what stage do I raise the Forest &amp; domain functional level to 2016?\nDo I avoid in place upgrading at all costs? Is creating the new VM's and transferring roles the current best practice?\nIf I transfer the roles including DNS to a new 2016 DC, can I use the same IP address to avoid conflicts with some devices pointing at these DNS IP's?\nDoes the child domain DC upgrades come first of last?\nWhere ideally should the child domain FMSMO roles reside? Currently they are on a child DC and a primary domain DC (see below for more info)\nI've added the details of all the current DC servers and domain below, any help would be greatly appreciated! Domain &amp; Forest Functional Levels: Server 2008 R2Primary Domain Details:DC01 (Server 2008 R2, DNS, GC)DC03 (Server 2012 R2, GC, Azure Connect, FSMO, DNS)DC04 (Server 2012 R2, RODC)DC05 (Server 2016 Datacenter Core, GC, DNS)Child Domain Details:FMSMO Roles:DC03 - Schema MasterDC03 - Domain naming operations masterCHILDDC01 - RIDCHILDDC01 - PDCCHILDDC01 - InfrustructureChild DC Servers:CHILDDC01 (Server 2012 R2, Primary DC, GC, DNS)CHILDDC02 (Server 2012 R2, GC)"
<https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/2256431-upgrading-2008r2-2012r2-domain-controllers-to-2016>