Migrate WINS from Server 2008 R2 to Server 2012

Question

_{Thursday, February 26, 2015 10:12 PM}

Hello Experts,

   I have been tasked with migrating roles from a Server 2008 R2 DC to a Server 2012 DC. This client still uses WINS as they have some legacy equipment requiring WINS. I have no experience with WINS and have not been able to find documentation on migrating WINS from 2008 to 2012. I did find this article:

http://ashifuzzaman.blogspot.com/2010/09/dhcp-and-wins-server-migration.html

which shows a migration from 2003 to 2008, but I wanted to check if it is valid for 2008 to 2012. I was also curious if there is a better way to go about this, as this will require us to take the database offline. I would like to set up replication if possible, and point the devices to the new server while the old server is still running, so we can fail back if needed.

I have added the WINS feature to the 2012 server and I see there is an area to add a replication partner, but I do not want to break any current database, I want to be sure I configure this correctly.

I have no problem migrating DHCP scopes, and DNS will replicate automatically since it is AD integrated, I am just skeptical about the WINS role. I'm not sure if it has any dependencies. I'm also curious if I migrate the DHCP scope to new server and demote the 2008 server, if WINS will still function, or if it relies on any DNS features. Thanks in advance!

All replies (3)

_{Saturday, February 28, 2015 3:34 AM ✅Answered}

Hi,

We usually assign WINS configuration to DHCP enabled clients by DHCP lease(option 44), DHCP server migration will not affect WINS if the DHCP option 44 and WINS server are not changed.

You may reference the steps provided by the link to migrate WINS. If you have replication partners for WINS, it is necessary to remove the partner first and stop WINS service, then export the database.

Remember to change the DHCP option 44 once WINS migration completed. In order to obtain the new WINS, you may force the clients to renew their leases, or wait until the clients to automatically renew their leases.

Here is an official article about migrate WINS, also applied to Windows Server 2008/2012, and for your reference:
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc787100(v=ws.10).aspx

Best Regards,
Eve Wang

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_{Thursday, March 5, 2015 2:17 AM}

Thanks Eve, I was able to add replication partners and WINS replicated properly to new servers. 

_{Thursday, March 5, 2015 2:32 AM}

Hi,

It is my pleasure that the suggestion would be helpful, and thank you for taking the time to let me know the issue is now resolved.

And welcome to post on Microsoft TechNet Forum if you have any other problem.
 
Best Regards,
Eve Wang

Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help and unmark them if they provide no help. If you have feedback for TechNet Support, contact [email protected].