How to Perform In-Place Upgrade on File Servers that Use DFSR

• An in-place upgrade is a process of upgrading an existing operating system to a newer version without removing or replacing the existing files, settings, and applications.
• An in-place upgrade can help you benefit from the new features and improvements of the newer operating system, as well as maintain the consistency and compatibility of your file servers that use DFSR.
• An in-place upgrade also involves some risks and challenges, such as compatibility issues, performance degradation, or functionality loss. Therefore, you should always backup your data and settings, check the compatibility and requirements, disable DFSR replication, verify the upgrade, and enable DFSR replication.

If you are using Distributed File System Replication (DFSR) to replicate folders across multiple servers, you might wonder if you can perform an in-place upgrade of your file servers without affecting the replication. In this article, I will explain what an in-place upgrade is, why you might want to do it, and how to do it safely and successfully.

What is an in-place upgrade?

An in-place upgrade is a process of upgrading an existing operating system to a newer version without removing or replacing the existing files, settings, and applications. For example, you can upgrade a file server running Windows Server 2012 R2 to Windows Server 2016 by using an in-place upgrade.

An in-place upgrade has some advantages over a clean installation, such as:

• You don’t need to backup and restore your data, settings, and applications.
• You don’t need to reconfigure your server roles and features.
• You don’t need to reinstall your drivers and updates.
• You can minimize the downtime and disruption of your services.

However, an in-place upgrade also has some disadvantages and risks, such as:

• You might encounter compatibility issues with some applications or drivers.
• You might inherit some problems or errors from the previous operating system.
• You might experience performance degradation or stability issues.
• You might lose some functionality or features that are not supported by the newer operating system.

Therefore, before you decide to perform an in-place upgrade, you should weigh the pros and cons carefully and plan accordingly.

Why would you want to perform an in-place upgrade on file servers that use DFSR?

One of the reasons why you might want to perform an in-place upgrade on file servers that use DFSR is to take advantage of the new features and improvements that are available in the newer operating system. For example, Windows Server 2016 introduces some enhancements for DFSR, such as:

• Support for larger volumes and files
• Support for deduplication and ReFS
• Support for cloning replicated folders
• Support for Windows PowerShell Desired State Configuration (DSC)
• Improved performance and reliability

Another reason why you might want to perform an in-place upgrade on file servers that use DFSR is to maintain the consistency and compatibility of your file servers. If you have multiple file servers that are part of a replication group, it is recommended that they run the same operating system version and patch level. This can help prevent potential replication issues or conflicts that might arise from different operating system behaviors or features.

How to perform an in-place upgrade on file servers that use DFSR?

Before you perform an in-place upgrade on file servers that use DFSR, you should follow these steps to prepare your environment and ensure a smooth transition:

1. Check the compatibility and requirements. Make sure that your file servers meet the hardware and software requirements for the target operating system. You can use the Windows Server Upgrade Assistant or the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit to scan your servers and identify any potential compatibility issues or blockers. You should also check the compatibility of any third-party applications or drivers that are installed on your file servers.
2. Backup your data and settings. Even though an in-place upgrade should preserve your data and settings, it is always a good practice to backup your data and settings before performing any major changes. You can use Windows Server Backup or any other backup solution to backup your file servers. You should also backup your DFSR configuration by using the Dfsradmin.exe tool or the Export-DfsrClone cmdlet.
3. Disable DFSR replication. To prevent any replication issues or conflicts during the upgrade process, you should disable DFSR replication on all members of the replication group. You can use the Dfsradmin.exe tool or the Suspend-DfsReplicationGroup cmdlet to suspend replication. You should also verify that there are no pending changes or backlogs on any of the members by using the Dfsrdiag.exe tool or the Get-DfsrBacklog cmdlet.
4. Perform the in-place upgrade. After you have prepared your environment, you can proceed with the in-place upgrade on each file server. You can use the Windows Server installation media or an ISO image to launch the setup wizard and follow the instructions. Alternatively, you can use Windows Deployment Services or System Center Configuration Manager to automate the deployment process. During the upgrade process, you should choose to keep your personal files and apps when prompted.
5. Verify the upgrade. After the upgrade process is completed, you should verify that your file servers are running the target operating system and that your files, settings, and applications are intact. You should also check the event logs and the Device Manager for any errors or warnings. You should also install any missing or updated drivers and updates.
6. Enable DFSR replication. After you have verified the upgrade, you can enable DFSR replication on all members of the replication group. You can use the Dfsradmin.exe tool or the Resume-DfsReplicationGroup cmdlet to resume replication. You should also verify that the replication is working properly and that there are no replication issues or conflicts by using the Dfsrdiag.exe tool or the Get-DfsrState cmdlet.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on DFSR

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to DFSR:

Question: What is the difference between DFSR and FRS?

Answer: FRS is the File Replication Service, which is a legacy replication engine that was used to replicate folders in Windows Server 2003 and earlier versions. DFSR is the Distributed File System Replication, which is a newer and more efficient replication engine that was introduced in Windows Server 2003 R2 and later versions. DFSR replaces FRS as the default replication engine for DFS namespaces and SYSVOL folders.

Question: How can I migrate from FRS to DFSR?

Answer: If you are using FRS to replicate folders, you can migrate to DFSR by following the steps in the following documents: [DFS Operations Guide: Migrating from FRS to DFS Replication] for replicating folders other than SYSVOL, and [Migrate SYSVOL replication to DFS Replication] for replicating SYSVOL folders.

Question: How can I monitor and troubleshoot DFSR?

Answer: You can use various tools and methods to monitor and troubleshoot DFSR, such as: [DFSR Management], [DFSR Windows PowerShell], [DFSR WMI], [DFSRdiag.exe], [DFSRmon.exe], [DFSRadmin.exe], [Performance Monitor], [Event Viewer], [Replication Health Report], [Propagation Test Report], and [Propagation File Report]. For more information, see [Monitoring Distributed File System Replication (DFSR)] and [Troubleshooting Distributed File System Replication (DFSR)].

Conclusion

In conclusion, an in-place upgrade is a viable option for file servers that use DFSR, as long as you follow the proper steps and precautions. An in-place upgrade can help you benefit from the new features and improvements of the newer operating system, as well as maintain the consistency and compatibility of your file servers. However, an in-place upgrade also involves some risks and challenges, such as compatibility issues, performance degradation, or functionality loss. Therefore, you should always backup your data and settings, check the compatibility and requirements, disable DFSR replication, verify the upgrade, and enable DFSR replication. By doing so, you can ensure a smooth and successful transition to the target operating system. I hope this article has helped you understand how to perform an in-place upgrade on file servers that use DFSR. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. The author and publisher are not liable for any damages or losses that may result from following the instructions or recommendations in this article. Always consult a qualified IT professional before performing any major changes to your file servers or operating systems. Always backup your data and settings before performing any upgrade or migration. Always test your upgrade or migration in a lab environment before applying it to your production environment.