Active Directory Requirement for Microsoft Lync 2013 Preview

Supported Domain Controller Operating Systems

Lync Server 2013 Preview supports domain controllers running the following operating systems:

• Windows Server 2008 R2 operating system
• Windows Server 2008 operating system
• Windows Server 2008 Enterprise 32-Bit
• The 32-bit or 64-bit versions of the Window Server 2003 R2 operating system
• The 32-bit or 64-bit versions of the Windows Server 2003

Forest and Domain Functional Level

You must raise all domains in which you deploy Lync Server 2013 Preview to a domain functional level of Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, or at least Windows Server 2003 native mode. Windows Server 2003 mixed mode is not supported. 

All forests in which you deploy Lync Server 2013 Preview must be raised to a forest functional level of Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, or at least Windows Server 2003 native mode. Windows Server 2003 mixed mode is not supported.

Support for Read-Only Domain Controllers

Lync Server 2013 Preview supports Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) deployments that include read-only domain controllers or read-only global catalog servers, as long as there are writable domain controllers available.