Server 2011 Ess to Server 2016 Ess

[freedomit]

Im struggling to find the steps to migrate from Server 2011 Essentials to Server 2016 Essentials. Has anyone got any guides or tips on doing this? The official Microsoft guide is very limited compared to the old SBS migration guides.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I'd treat it like a standard 08r2 to server '16 migration....with a touch of SBS in there...some group policies to clean out, and some ADUC structuring of OUs to reorganize.

Server 2011 Essentials didn't really get popular..kind of an odd-duck.
How many clients? Almost might be worth just doing a fresh domain from scratch with the '16 box. If it's just raw data...keeps it easy.

 

[freedomit]

I'd treat it like a standard 08r2 to server '16 migration....with a touch of SBS in there...some group policies to clean out, and some ADUC structuring of OUs to reorganize.

Server 2011 Essentials didn't really get popular..kind of an odd-duck.
How many clients? Almost might be worth just doing a fresh domain from scratch with the '16 box. If it's just raw data...keeps it easy.

Only 4 computers but would rather migrate than start fresh.

It seems like the process is join the domain then run the essentials role and it auto detects and sets up. Not sure about syncing O365 accounts etc but guess I will find out.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

What is on the old server that needs to be moved to new one? Any hosted programs? Or just file storage? Only 4 computers...probably would be starting from scratch, just copying folders/files over. Barely takes 15 minutes per workstation..secure local Admin account, unjoin, bounce, join new, bounce...copy cherry picked folders of old profile back.

Migration..you have at least several hours just cleaning up old group policies and restructuring ADUC and defaults...not to mention often little things (remnants) still linger in active directory that can pester you down the road.

Migrating from vanilla server to newer vanilla server is quite easy. But migrating from a special "suite" flavor of server like SBS or it's half breed Essentials...there is a TON of unique things in active directory to clean up. Lots of techs just ignore it...but that's a poor job and always leads to quirks and failing audit tests and lots of odd behavior down the road on client rigs. Really have to spend quite a few hours rolling up your sleeves and cleaning "unique" things from the prior SBS/Essentials servers

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

I have a 20 user migration coming up and the 2012 R2 Essentials box was so poorly configured I'm just going to start fresh with 2016. With 4 I wouldn't bat an eye.

 

[marley1]

Have to rerun the connect.

For 4 users just redo

 

[jzukerman]

Build a new domain, then use Profwiz to migrate the user profile to the new domain. Then clean up any remaining issues. Works nicely.

 

[CLC]

I've been doing sbs 2008 to 2016 upgrades and I'm starting fresh domains, it's more of pain on the workstation side but everything works better in the end and you have less problems in my opinion. It really doesn't take long to create a new profile and move their files. Now if you are talking like 50 users or more that's a different story.