Raise Domain Functional Level question

i have dcpromo'd last windows 2003 dc , removed domain.  left (3) 2008r2 dc's , (1) 2008 dc.  want raise domain functional level.  there considerations need keep in mind before raising level?  there "gotchas" need concerned with?

thanks

hi poly,

raising forest or domain functional levels allows open new features included in domain or forest functional level release. please refer ms article

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/understanding-active-directory-functional-levels(v=ws.10).aspx

before raise functional levels need ensure active directory not showing errors in event logs , ensure replication working fine, using following commands.

- repadmin /replsum, repadmin /showrepl, dcdiag /v etc

cannot promote older dc's domain less functional level (meaning if have forest/domain functional level of 2008, cannot promote dc's 2000/2003. have 2008 or later. 

most important is, change irreversible

recommended raise functional level of domain first, forest. if raise forest first, domains beneath raised forest functional level.

as always, make sure have recent verified backup of dcs.

i hope helps.

many thank,

abhi

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