[Samba] Windows -> Samba migration

[Rowland Penny]

On 20/05/2023 10:29, Andrea Venturoli via samba wrote:
> Hello.
> 
> At a site I've got a domain with only one DC, which is Windows 2012.
> This OS will be soon out of support and must be replaced.
> The replacement will be Windows 2022 standard, but, for reason I won't 
> dwell into, it shulud not be a DC.
> 
> Is it possibile to migrate this domain to a Samba DC, then join the new 
> server as a member?

Yes, that should be possible.

> Will Samba 4.16 do?

As always, a later version would be better, but 4.16.x should suffice.

> 
> Basically, I would:
> 
> _ follow this guide to join a new Samba DC to the existing domain:
>>  https://wiki.samba.org/index.php/Joining_a_Samba_DC_to_an_Existing_Active_Directory
> 
> _ temporarily stop the DC services on the old DC, to test if everything 
> works;
> 
> _ install the new 2022 server and join it as a member (actually join its 
> two VMs)
> 
> _ transfer all other application/services;
> 
> _ demote the old 2012 DC;
> 
> _ remove the old server.
> 
> 
> Any caveat?
> 
>   bye & Thanks
>      av.
> 

I foresee no major problems (famous last words), the only slight problem 
could be in transferring the contents of sysvol, but as always, it will 
be better to test the process first.

Rowland