Migrate Server 2008 Std to Server 2012 R2 Essentials?

[omnichad]

The existing has a domain and is an application server for software that doesn't require a lot of heavy lifting. AD only has 3 or 4 users. The application server software can even run on Windows Pro, so that's no concern.

Is it possible to migrate an existing domain from Server 2008 Standard to 2012 R2 Essentials and then demote the existing server? Or are there any huge roadblocks in the way for this?

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Yup...have done quite a few of 'em. There are guides out there for "migrating" 2000/2003/2008 to WSE12 R2.
To very briefly sum it up...when you build/install WSE..you stop that Essentials Role setup wizard from continuing (basically the fluffed up DCPROMO GUI but has the Essentials Role stuff with it)...so you have WSE in workgroup mode, then you join existing domain, kick off the Server 12 method of DCPROMO...transfer FSMO roles, DHCP, you have to fiddle with a couple of things. Each time you reboot WSE that wizard will keep trying to launch, but once you've done most of the DC migration, you can then allow that wizard to complete running.

But to be honeset with you, for just 3 or 4 users...I'd just build the WSE fresh, alone. Manually move the data. Pull the 3 or 4 workstation the old domain and stick 'em fresh on the new WSE domain. For so few users, that would be quicker.