Migrating a DHCP from Server 2012 R2 to Server 2016 involves only two commands. The first command is to export the DHCP data and is run on Server 2012 R2. The second command imports the DHCP data and it is run on the Windows 2016 server.
The following steps illustrate how to use those two commands.
Import and Export DHCP Data
1. Log in with an administrator account to the Windows Server 2012 R2 system.
2. Open Powershell and then type in the following command:
Export-DhcpServer -File C:\DHCPdata.xml -Leases -Force -ComputerName old.network.local –Verbose
3. Copy the file C:\DHCPdata.xml the Windows Server 2016 system.
4. Install and configure the DHCP role on Server 2016 (Same Server 2012 R2 installation steps, Check my related article on DHCP Server 2012 R2 for help).
5. Start the DHCP service.
6. Type in the following command on Powershell to import the DHCP Data.
Import-DhcpServer -File C:\DHCPdata.xml -BackupPath C:\DHCP\ -Leases -ScopeOverwrite -Force -ComputerName new.network.local –Verbose
7. Restart the DHCP service.
Verify your DHCP scope, IP leases, reservations etc and they should match with DHCP Server 2012 R2.
