Steps to migrate SCCM/MECM windows server from 2012/2008 to 2016/2019

MECM Techie
May 7, 2021
2 min read

Updated: May 17, 2021

Let's see how to upgrade SCCM/MECM Infra from windows server 2012/2008 to windows 2016/2019.

Before performing below upgrade let's take Backup action plans

•Site Server Backup

•WSUS Database (SUSDB)

•WSUSContent Folder

•Package source files.

•SCCM Content Library

•SCUP Database (If you are deploying 3rd party updates)

•Custom Reports (if any)

•User State Migration Data

•Backup a customized Configuration.mof file:

•Custom Boot Image

Upgrade Idea 1: (supporting links after each step)

Take a backup of SCCM and SQL before proceeding with the upgrade.

Backup:- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/core/servers/manage/backup-and-recovery

Recovery:- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/core/servers/manage/recover-sites

Perform a TestDB upgrade.

Upgrade:- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/core/servers/manage/test-database-upgrade

Upgrade & Checklist MECM from current branch to latest version

Checklist:- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/core/servers/manage/checklist-for-installing-update-2010

Upgrade:- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/core/servers/deploy/install/upgrade-to-configuration-manager

Wait for few days for the environment to be stable.
Supported SQL versions to current branch versions

SQL supported versions:- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/core/plan-design/configs/support-for-sql-server-versions

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/core/plan-design/configs/supported-configurations

After MECM is upgraded, perform inplace upgrade of site server operating system to server 2016.

In-place upgrade:- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/core/servers/manage/upgrade-on-premises-infrastructure

Finally do an in-place upgrade of SQL

In- place SQL:- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/database-engine/install-windows/supported-version-and-edition-upgrades?redirectedfrom=MSDN&view=sql-server-ver15

Disadvantage:-The above plan contains lot of upgrades and if any of these fails we will probably have to start from beginning.

Upgrade Idea 2:

Creating a new Hierarchy with the current branch and migrating the objects from the Current environment to the new environment.

Disadvantage: All the clients then needs to be pointed to new SCCM Hierarchy. Extra overhead in Migrating the objects from original hierarchy to new hierarchy.

Upgrade Idea 3

Create a new server on windows server 2016 or any and install any SQL server

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/core/plan-design/configs/support-for-sql-server-versions

Migrate your SCCM database to any SQL server version

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/220157/migrate-sccm-cb2010-and-sql-2012-to-new-2019-serve.html &

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/75224/move-sccm-db-and-susdb-to-different-instance.html

After it is successfully migrated do a site reset to modify the SQL Server configuration.
Take a backup of your existing primary site database, Content Source directory, SCCMContentLib (All the folders for Contentlib).

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/core/servers/manage/backup-and-recovery

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/core/servers/manage/recover-sites

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/system-center/system-center-2012-R2/gg712697(v=technet.10)?redirectedfrom=MSDN#BKMK_SupplementalBackup

Create new machine with Windows server 2016 installed.
It should have same name, drive letters and drive structure as your earlier site server.
Install all the pre-requisites for SCCM.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/core/plan-design/configs/site-and-site-system-prerequisites#:~:text=Before%20you%20install%20or%20upgrade,information%2C%20see%20Windows%2010%20ADK.