Server 2012 R2: File Server Cluster Migration

 

I need to migrate a File Server hosted by Windows 2008 R2 Storage Server to a new 2012 R2 cluster

This GUIDE was used as informational base.

NOTE: In my test environment I do not have mount points on clustered disks so I am not sure if that scenario will work.

I have two 2008 R2 Storage Servers clustered with a File Server Clustered Resource set:

I can access the shares:

For test purposes I added a user to Share permissions and customized rights

 

I also built a fresh 2012 R2 Cluster (without File Server Role)

 

Migration:

0. In AD check the Cluster accounts have full rights to File Server accounts. Especially 2012 Cluster account to 2008 File Server Account. I.e. if my 2012 Cluster name is demvhvw12cl and my 2008 File Server Cluster called demvhvw2k8cfs I provide Full rights to demvhvw12cl  on demvhvw2k8cfs

1. Microsoft recommends to check if Cluster networks are configured properly – there is no Cluster communication on Storage network, for Example:

2008 Cluster:

 

2012 Cluster:

2. Start Migration Wizard from 2012 Cluster:

3. Select cluster to migrate FROM

4.  Select a role to migrate (you can take a look at Reports to see what can be migrated)

5. Verify configuration and start migration

6.

7. Check if migration was successful (use “View Report” button)

8. Put File Server role OFFLINE on W2k8 Cluster (source cluster)

9. Disconnect data LUNs from the source Cluster and connect them to the new one:

I am using ISCSI on W2k12 Server. On the screenshot it is reconnected to 2012 Cluster nodes:

Refresh ISCSI initiator on all nodes of W2k8 Cluster and 2012 Cluster and Connect LUNs to 2012 nodes (to ALL nodes!):

2008 Cluster nodes should look like:

2012 nodes:

10. Check what 2012 node is File Server Role owner

and bring connected LUNs online (all Data LUNs) on that machine (from Computer Management/Disk MAangement:

11. Start File Server Role on 2012 Cluster (right-click – Start Role):

12. Check the disk resources and shares are available:

File Server Name resource and IP address should be migrated

13. Check if custom permissions are migrated (right-click the test Share and go to Properties/Permissions)

14. Try to connect to the share from a test machine to be sure File Server is up and running on the new Cluster:

Auto-fill is working (good sign):

and files are there:

15. Remove File Server Resource from the old Cluster: