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Currently We are using window server 2008 r2 and installed Active directory on server, which working fine.

Problem is that, Some of roles which are not working well(Can not install/uninstall roles), So that I thinking to install new server and Make a copy of active directory from old to new. It is possible ?

How to make copy of full Active directory backup and restore OR Any other well option ?

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The easiest way is to:

  1. Install AD server on a new server
  2. Set up this AD server using "Add a domain controller to an existing domain"
  3. Let AD's internal replication system perform a copy of your Active Directory for you
  4. Remove AD from the old server (and reinstall WIndows and every app if needed).

You can use Windows Server's backup system to perform a backup of your AD (by backing up System State), but you should avoid restoring it to another server than the one it was taken from. Other option is a bare-metal recovery, but it will restore your server in the exact same state it was when the backup was taken.

Creating another DC is the best option: the system will copy everything for you and there will be no downtime on your network (at least, AD-wise).

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  • I'd maybe talk a bit about domain controllers, DC-promo etc. Is the other one their only server? If so just taking it offline after moving AD would be a very bad idea. Top bits right though :-)
    – Joe Taylor
    Jun 23, 2016 at 9:27
  • then window client will communicate with new AD server after performing above step?
    – Nullpointer
    Jun 23, 2016 at 9:45
  • @JoeTaylor suggested me, any good option if you have
    – Nullpointer
    Jun 23, 2016 at 9:52
  • @Joe: As far as I understand, ServerNinja only has one DC currently, so taking the first one offline aftter replication will bring the network in the same state as before - only with a working serv. But you are right, only one DC is bad.
    – Nathan.Eilisha Shiraini
    Jun 23, 2016 at 9:53
  • @ServerNinja: If you replicate the AD by setting up a new domain controller in your network, and configuring your DHCP so that the new DC is advertised as a DNS, then basically yes, clients will use the new DC. You just have to install DNS with AD on the new DC (should have precised it in the first post).
    – Nathan.Eilisha Shiraini
    Jun 23, 2016 at 9:55

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