Operating System Inplace upgrade to Server 2012 R2 (1 Viewer)

[HTPCSourcer]

Hello,

I am running Windows Server 2012 Essentials on my main server machine. After migrating a couple of clients to Windows 10 in the last days, I am considering to switch from 2012 Essentials to 2012 R2. Now I don't really want to start a completely new installation as this is an awful amount of work and would paralyze my TV at home. Alternatively I could buy a new SSD and do a new installation in parallel before actually switching off the old setup.

Does anyboy have experience with migrating from 2012 Essentials to 2012 R2?

 

[HomeY]

Does anyboy have experience with migrating from 2012 Essentials to 2012 R2?

Not from Essentials to 2012 R2, but did an in-place upgrade from 2012 >> 2012 R2 a while ago without issues.
I suspect you need to copy some drivers after the upgrade, since those aren't included in 2012 R2. Got mine included in case you don't have access to a Win 8.1 client. Simply run server_bdasetup.bat on your Server 2012 R2 OS and you should be good to go.

Alternatively I could buy a new SSD and do a new installation in parallel before actually switching off the old setup.

Just make an image/backup of the disc before you do the upgrade, then you can always restore.

 

[HTPCSourcer]

Maybe I wait until the new Server 2016 will be released.

 

[HomeY]

Maybe I wait until the new Server 2016 will be released.

I was thinking about the same, but a clean install for the server... I wonder if i'm ever brave enough to do that

 

[HTPCSourcer]

On second thought I wonder why even bothering. The advantages of running WSE 2012 are fading away with WSUS no longer usable for Win 10 Home machines. I currently have just three Win 10 Pro units left, for which a WSUS is kind of overkill. Instead I could change to standard online update and activate local network sharing. But let's see, maybe somebody finds a way to have the Home systems connect to the WSUS again.

 

[breese]

I am right in the middle of building my 1012 R2 server.
6 core 3.3mhz
16G ram
500G Sata Drive
NEC D1-10 12T Raid connected thru dual ports fiber channel.

Server runs real good.
Installed and messing with Hyper-V. Have 2 virtual Win 7 machines so far.
1 for testing
1 for my web server.

I am about 3 months into the build / configuration and am glad so far.