Windows 2000 Member Server With Windows 2003 Domain Controller

[Will]

What is the expected result for group policy if you use a Windows 2003
domain controller with Windows 2000 member servers? The Windows 2003 group
policies appear to be slightly different than Windows 2000 (new options, and
slight rewording for historical options). I'm concerned will an AD domain
run by Windows 2003 domain controllers in native Windows 2003 mode
compromise group policy in any way versus using W2K domain controllers with
W2K member servers?

 

[Jorge de Almeida Pinto]

If you configure GPO settings for w2k3 and w2k servers in a certain OU, the
servers only apply the setting they understand. In this case the w2k3
servers will apply everything you configure and the w2k only what they
understand. Each GPO setting also has a "minimum supported OS version
statement" in the sidebar. With you can see which settings is supported by
which OS

 

[Will]

Is there any reason to avoid putting the domain controllers into native
Windows 2003 mode when the member servers will be primarily Windows 2000?

 

[Todd J Heron]

Is there any reason to avoid putting the domain controllers into native
Windows 2003 mode when the member servers will be primarily >Windows 2000?

No reason to avoid that when the member servers will be primarily Windows
2000. The OS on the member servers is in fact irrelevant. Native mode only
means NT4 domain controllers can't replicate with the DCs anymore so they
are effectively "out of the picture".

 

[Will]

Well, Windows 2003 native mode would mean Windows 2000 domain controllers
cannot replicate with DCs anymore either....

 

[Todd J Heron]

Well, Windows 2003 native mode would mean Windows 2000 domain controllers
cannot replicate with DCs anymore either....

Yes, of course.