Upgrade Your File Server: Methods to Update Server 2012 to 2022

Upgrading your file server is a critical task to ensure data security, improve performance, and access the latest features. If you are running Windows Server 2012, migrating to Windows Server 2022 is a necessary step. Here are different methods to update your file server from Server 2012 to 2022, each with its own approach to minimize disruption and optimize your infrastructure.

Method 1: “As-Is Cutover” with Storage Migration Service

This method uses the Storage Migration Service (SMS) in Windows Admin Center (WAC) for a straightforward migration, ideal for environments where a longer cutover window is acceptable.

1. Deploy a New Windows Server 2022 VM: Begin by installing a fresh virtual machine with Windows Server 2022 Core edition. The Core edition, without a GUI, reduces the attack surface and resource overhead.
2. Domain Join with a New Name: Join the new Server 2022 VM to your domain using a temporary, distinct name. This prevents naming conflicts during the migration process.
3. Utilize Storage Migration Service: Leverage the Storage Migration Service within Windows Admin Center. SMS is designed to migrate file servers, using native Microsoft tools like Robocopy in the backend. This ensures compatibility and reliability.
4. Perform the Migration via WAC: Configure and initiate the migration job within WAC. SMS will handle the replication of data, shares, and permissions from your Server 2012 source to the new Server 2022 destination.

This method is beneficial for its simplicity and reliance on Microsoft’s built-in tools, making it a safe and well-documented approach for many environments.

Method 2: “As-Is” Migration with Minimal Downtime

For scenarios demanding minimal downtime, this method offers a quicker transition by leveraging registry exports and direct disk attachment.

1. Install New Server 2022 VM: Similar to Method 1, deploy a new VM with Windows Server 2022 Core and join it to the domain with a new name.
2. Export LANMANSERV Registry: On your original Server 2012 file server, export the LANMANSERV registry key. This key contains crucial information about your file shares and permissions.
3. Shutdown Old File Server: Schedule a brief maintenance window to shut down the original Server 2012 file server.
4. Attach VHDX and Import Registry: Attach the virtual hard disk (VHDX) containing your file data from the old server to the new Server 2022 VM. Assign the same drive letter as on the old server and bring the disks online. Import the LANMANSERV registry export into the new server.
5. Update DNS and Rename Servers: Reduce the Time To Live (TTL) on your Active Directory DNS entry for the file server to around 30 minutes beforehand to expedite DNS propagation. Rename the old Server 2012 file server to a different name and IP address. Rename the new Server 2022 VM to the original file server name and assign it the original IP address (or configure DHCP).
6. Reboot the New Server: Reboot the new Server 2022 VM to finalize the changes.

This method significantly reduces downtime by directly transferring the disk and configurations, making it suitable for environments where file server availability is paramount.

Method 3: Migration with Enhanced Tools like GSCopy Enterprise

For more advanced migration needs, especially when dealing with complex permissions, long file names, or open files, consider using a third-party tool like GSCopy Enterprise. This method can also be adapted for “as-is” migrations.

1. Set Up New Server 2022 VM: Deploy and domain-join a new Windows Server 2022 Core VM, similar to the previous methods.
2. Install GSCopy Enterprise: Download, license, and install GSCopy Enterprise on the new Server 2022 VM. For optimal performance, also copy the GSCopy Enterprise software to the old Server 2012 file server. Running the copy process from the source server locally can dramatically increase speed.
3. Utilize GSCopy Enterprise for Migration: Configure GSCopy Enterprise to copy data from the Server 2012 file server to the new Server 2022 VM.

Benefits of GSCopy Enterprise:

• Long File Name (LFN) Support: Handles file paths exceeding 256 characters, which can be problematic with standard tools.
• Open File Support via VSS: Leverages Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) to copy open files without interrupting users.
• Permission Handling: Efficiently manages complex permissions and bypasses permission issues due to running as a service account.
• Scheduled and Recurring Jobs: Allows for time-based and recurring migration jobs, useful for phased migrations or ongoing synchronization.
• Detailed Logging: Provides comprehensive logging for auditing and troubleshooting.
• Massive Speed Improvements:
  • SMB 3 Multichannel: Supports SMB 3 multichannel by utilizing multiple network interface cards (vNICs) for increased bandwidth. Avoid using Load Balancing/Failover (LBFO) NIC teaming, and instead, use multiple vNICs for SMB multichannel.
  • Enable-NetAdapterRSS: Ensure Receive Side Scaling (RSS) is enabled on network adapters (Enable-NetAdapterRSS) for optimized SMB 3 performance.
  • Scalability: Scales well with allocated vCPU and RAM, making it suitable for large file server migrations.

Advantages of Using Server Core for File Servers:

• Reduced Updates: Server Core requires fewer updates, minimizing downtime and maintenance.
• Faster Reboots: Reboots are significantly faster compared to Server with Desktop Experience.
• Enhanced Security: No GUI interface reduces the attack surface and prevents accidental permission changes via File Explorer and RDP. User Account Control (UAC) and Explorer are intentionally disabled, restricting access to remote management tools.
• Simplified Management: Share and permission management are efficiently handled through Server Manager, Windows Admin Center (WAC), or, for large-scale environments, SetACL Studio.
• Efficient Bulk Permission Management with SetACL Studio:
  • Faster than File Explorer for managing Access Control Lists (ACLs).
  • Supports undoing changes.
  • Facilitates easy permission repair.
  • Enables simultaneous modifications of ownership and permissions.

By choosing the appropriate method and leveraging tools like Storage Migration Service or GSCopy Enterprise, and considering the benefits of Server Core, you can effectively update your file server from Server 2012 to 2022, ensuring a smooth transition and improved file services for your organization.