NT4PDC to W2KDC in a domain of NT4 servers

[John]

I have to replace our NT4 Primary Domain Controller with a
new Windows 2000 Server system, but our other servers are
still NT4, including the BDC. Ideally, I would like for
the current PDC to remain in the domain as an ordinary
server. Obviously this will be a mixed-mode domain for
some time to come.

Here's the setup (not the real computer names):
PC1 = NT4 Server/Primary Domain Controller - 10.0.0.1
PC2 = NT4 Server/Backup Domain Controller - 10.0.0.2
PC3 = New W2K Server, to be 1st Domain Controller -
10.0.0.3

Questions:
How do I migrate our PC1 (PDC) to PC3 (W2K DC system)? I
recall that PC3 is added as a BDC, PDC & BDC shutdown,
then PC3 promoted to Domain Controller. Is this right?

Will it be ok for the new PC3 system to take over the
current PDC's IP address (10.0.0.1)?

Will there be a problem with the new W2K Domain Controller
having a different name than "PC1"?

PC2 (the current BDC) cannot continue as a domain
controller in the W2K domain, correct? If not, how to I de-
commission it's role as BDC, but keep the server
operational? If it can remain, what need be done to insure
its operation?

Can PC1 remain in the domain as a server after being de-
commissioned as Primary Domain Controller?

Thanks!
John

 

[Danny Sanders]

You might want to take a couple of weeks and read up on Win 2k and AD. The
installation of AD requires you to make some choices that if wrong may
require you to format and reinstall to recover from.

How do I migrate our PC1 (PDC) to PC3 (W2K DC system)? I
recall that PC3 is added as a BDC, PDC & BDC shutdown,
then PC3 promoted to Domain Controller. Is this right?

Win 2k can not be a BDC no such thing in Win 2k. You need to figure out if
you want to upgrade or migrate. From what I am reading in what you want at
the end of this process, you should go the upgrade route.
See:
How To: Upgrade Windows NT Server 4.0 to Windows 2000 Server

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;298107
for upgrading and see:
How to Set Up ADMT for Windows NT 4.0 to Windows 2000 Migration

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;260871

for migrating.



The ONLY way to bring the SAM of your NT 4.0 domain into your Win 2k domain
is to upgrade your existing PDC. It is the only DC with a writeable copy of
the SAM. Upgrade any other computer to Win 2k and you will have a different
SAM. Different SAM = different domain. Different domains = "migrate route"
Migrate route = Native mode Win 2k domain, native mode domain = NO NT 4.0
BDCs.

With this in mind and keeping in mind that you want NT 4.0 BDCs to exist in
the new domain and you want the new Win 2k DC to have the same name and IP
address as the old, you can:

Remove Win 2k from your Win 2k server and install NT 4.0 on it as a BDC
while connected to your existing network. Use a temporary name and IP
address. Promote to PDC (demotes your old PDC to BDC) Once you have copied
files etc.. to the new PDC, remove the "old PDC (now BDC)" from the network.
Rename and change IP address to match removed DC and upgrade to Win 2k and
AD.

See:

How To: Upgrade Windows NT Server 4.0 to Windows 2000 Server

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;298107

HOW TO: Promote and Demote Domain Controllers in Windows 2000

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;238369

PC2 (the current BDC) cannot continue as a domain
controller in the W2K domain, correct? If not, how to I de-
commission it's role as BDC, but keep the server
operational? If it can remain, what need be done to insure
its operation?

As long as you are in mixed mode you can have NT 4.0 BDCs on your Win 2k
domain just fine. Since you want to keep your NT 4.0 BDC on line you should
forget about "migrating" to Win 2k. Migrating to Win 2k requires you to set
your Win 2k domain to native mode. In native mode Win 2k DCs WILL NOT
replicate to NT 4.0 BDCs.

Can PC1 remain in the domain as a server after being de-
commissioned as Primary Domain Controller?

As long as you "upgrade" to Win 2k and AD, you will be able to keep the Win
2k domain in mixed mode. Following the steps I stated above, you promoted
another DC to PDC and in turn this demoted PC1 to a BDC, which can happily
exist in a mixed mode Win 2k domain.





hth

DDS W 2k MVP MCSE