Step-By-Step: Migration of DHCP from Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2012

Mitch, Pierre and I have been delivering #CANITPRO camps for some time now and we are thoroughly enjoying connecting with the IT community across Canada.  Many IT professionals we have encountered have enjoyed both version "A", concentrating on Hyper-V, and version "B", centered around Windows Server 2012 tools and management, and have been enthusiastic to learn how Microsoft's latest server offering would better prepare them to support their organization within their own environment.  Many attendees have also expressed interest in migrating their operations from Windows Server 2003 to 2012 to take advantage of the new capabilities Windows Server 2012 has to offer and have asked for further support around the topic.  One such ask came at a recent camp delivered in Edmonton where an IT Professional was inquiring on migrating her organizations DHCP from 2003 to 2012 to take advantage of the failover capabilities 2012 had to offer.

Migration from Windows Server 2003 to 2012 has been deemed troublesome by few as the netsh DHCP command-line was replaced in Windows Server 2012 by PowerShell. The process however is actually quite easy and can be completed in a few steps.

Beginning the export process on Windows Server 2003

1. On the Windows 2003 DHCP server, navigate to a command prompt
   
2. Type the following Command: netsh
   
3. Type the following Command: DHCP
   
4. Type the following Command: server \\Name or IP Address
   
5. Type the following Command: export c:\w2k3DHCPdb all
   
   Note You must have local administrator permissions to export the data.

Importing the DHCP database on Windows Server 2012

1. Copy the exported DHCP database file to the local hard disk of the Windows Server 2008-based computer. 
   
2. From within Server Manager, select Add roles and features
   
   
   
3. Select Role-based of featured-based installation and select Next.
   
   

4. On the Server Selection window, leave the default and select Next. When the Server Roles window opens, select DHCP. Select Add Features in the pop-up window, then select Next.
   
   
   

5. Once the DHCP install has been completed, select DHCP located in the Server Manager dashboard

6. Right click the designated DHCP server in the services pane, then select Stop.

7. Delete the DHCP.mdb file under c:\windows\system32\DHCP folder.

8. Return to DHCP located in the Server Manager dashboard

9. Right click the designated DHCP server in the services pane, then select Start.

10. Right-click on the bottom left hand side of the desktop screen to invoke the admin menu
    
    

11. Select Command Prompt (Admin) to open the cmd prompt using elevated privileges. 

12. Type the following Command: netsh

13. Type the following Command: DHCP

14. Type the following Command: server \\Name or IP Address

15. Type the following Command: import c:\w2k3DHCPdb

16. Close the command prompt when completed.

17. Return to DHCP located in the Server Manager dashboard.
    
18. Right click the designated DHCP server in the services pane, then select Restart.
    
19. Disable and remove DHCP from the Windows 2003 server.
    

Simply setup your scope options for your new Windows Server 2012 DHCP server and then Authorize it within your domain and the  migration is complete.

Learn more support features Windows Server 2012 has to offer and have a chance in winning your own lab computer by participating in the free Microsoft offered Virtual Academy.  Complete two TechNet evaluations, and take the selected Microsoft Virtual Academy courses for your chance at a $5,000 grand prize or a chance to win anHPEliteBook Revolve and two chances to win400 Microsoft Points.