Join additional servers to the AD RMS cluster

Applies To: Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012 R2

Because the configuration database schema has changed for AD RMS on Windows Server 2008 R2, and the remaining Windows Server 2008–based AD RMS servers will no longer process requests, you must immediately replace the remaining Windows Server 2008–based AD RMS servers after the cluster is migrated to the first Windows Server 2008 R2 server. To decrease downtime, we recommend that you have Windows Server 2008 R2 installed on at least half of the servers you will use in the migrated cluster so that you can quickly install AD RMS and join them to the AD RMS cluster at the same time. Additionally, you should ensure that any Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates are imported into the new servers and that your network load balancing (NLB) environment is configured appropriately.

The instructions to prepare new servers are the same as the procedures in Install Windows Server 2008 R2 on a new computer and Install AD RMS and join the computer to the existing AD RMS cluster.

To upgrade existing servers in the AD RMS cluster, follow the instructions in Upgrade an existing AD RMS server to Windows Server 2008 R2 and Run the AD RMS Upgrade wizard.