Upgrade scenario

[GJB]

Hi,

I am currently running a single W2K/EX2K forest/domain with 2 c DC/GC. There
are 6 x W2K/EX2K cluster in this org.
I am intending to upgrade to W2K3/EX2K3 and to all new hardware in the
following way.:-

Run mangled attributes script
Run W2K3 forest/Domain prep on current schema master
Run EX2K3 forest/Domain prep current schema master
Promote 2 new W2K3 servers to DCs and xfer the roles across
Demote and retire existing DCs.
Build 6 x new W2K3/EX2K3 clusters and move mailboxes
Remove/Retire Existing clusters

Could anyone who has already achieved this possibly comment with any tips/
gotchas

Thanks,

GJb

 

[Nick Gillott [MVP]]

Minor variations:

Take full backup of all servers (Exchange and System State)
Take backup of AD using something like GFi AD backup utility
Run mangled attributes script
Run W2K3 forest/Domain prep on current schema master
Run EX2K3 forest/Domain prep current schema master
DCPromo 2 new W2K3 servers to DCs and xfer the roles across except for GC
role
Build 6 x new W2K3/EX2K3 clusters and move mailboxes
Migrate PF structure and change masters
Wait a week
Remove/Retire Existing clusters
Demote existing DCs.
Wait a week
Retire existing DCs

Nick

 

[GJB]

Thank you, much appreciated

Minor variations:

Take full backup of all servers (Exchange and System State)
Take backup of AD using something like GFi AD backup utility
Run mangled attributes script
Run W2K3 forest/Domain prep on current schema master
Run EX2K3 forest/Domain prep current schema master
DCPromo 2 new W2K3 servers to DCs and xfer the roles across except for GC
role
Build 6 x new W2K3/EX2K3 clusters and move mailboxes
Migrate PF structure and change masters
Wait a week
Remove/Retire Existing clusters
Demote existing DCs.
Wait a week
Retire existing DCs

Nick