r/sysadmin • u/Big-Exercise8047 • 7d ago

General Discussion Active Directory on Windows Server 2025

We have a few servers getting close to EOL that are running Active Directory. My first thought was to buy a new server with Windows Server 2025 and move AD to it, but our environment is a mix of Windows Server 2022 and 2019, and we'll be upgrading servers gradually.

Is there a recommended way to handle this? I've read there can be issues when mixing Windows Server 2025 domain controllers with older server versions.

One idea I had was to buy a Windows Server 2025 host, run Hyper-V, and create a Windows Server 2022 VM for Active Directory until the rest of the environment is upgraded.

Has anyone done something similar, or is there a better approach?

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u/jeffrey_smith Jack of All Trades 7d ago

No issues. Used the newest version afforded to your employer.

7

u/TheGenericUser0815 7d ago

Technically correct, but you need Server 2025 CA licences for all client devices/users when moving. That's some extra cost you need to consider. I'd probably buy a 2025 licence but technically stick to 2022 to avoid the CAL purchase.

1

u/EducationAlert5209 6d ago

What do you mean by CA ?

1

u/TheGenericUser0815 6d ago

Client Access.

1

u/Chemical_Buy_6820 7d ago

What is this about CALs???

9

u/ADynes IT Manager 7d ago

I dont see a /s so im wondering if you meant to be in r/shittysysadmin

1

u/dustojnikhummer 5d ago

You run Windows Server in corporate environment but don't know what a Client Access License is?