Adding Windows 2003 DC to Windows 2000 AD

[Sean O]

I have a 2000 AD w/ 2 DC's. We also have 2 NT4 BDC's. We
have just implemented Windows 2003/ Exchange 2003
Front/Backend (1 Frontend 2 Backends Member Servers).

1.We are going to use Upromote to demote the 2 BDC's to
member status (File Servers Currently)
2.This step is where I have concerns. If we have already
run forestprep and domainprep when installing Exchange
2003 do we have to again?
3.Add 1st W2003 Server to the Domain run DCPROMO
4.Transfer FSMO roles to 1st W2003DC
5.Add 2nd W2003DC to Domain run DCPROMO
6.Run DCPROMO on the W2000DC's. Demote to member servers.
7.Install and configure Primary/Secondary DNS on W2003DC's

If anyone has any experience in this scenario your advice
would be greatly appriciated.

 

[Dave Shaw [MVP]]

See inline -

I have a 2000 AD w/ 2 DC's. We also have 2 NT4 BDC's. We
have just implemented Windows 2003/ Exchange 2003
Front/Backend (1 Frontend 2 Backends Member Servers).

1.We are going to use Upromote to demote the 2 BDC's to
member status (File Servers Currently)

Unsupported - but will probably work just fine. However, have you
considered possibly upgrading the machines to Windows 2000 and leaving as
member servers then, instead?

2.This step is where I have concerns. If we have already
run forestprep and domainprep when installing Exchange
2003 do we have to again?

Yes. If you want the Windows 2003 server to become a DC or if you expect
the forest to ever have 2003 DCs, you will have to run the AD 2003 versions
of Forest prep and Domain prep.

3.Add 1st W2003 Server to the Domain run DCPROMO

As mentioned above, run the ADPREP utility first. After that, you may
promote a Windows 2003 server to DC in a 2000 forest and domain. It will
assume the same mode as the domain it is installed in.

4.Transfer FSMO roles to 1st W2003DC

Shouldn't be a problem. Use the MMCs or script it as you desire.

5.Add 2nd W2003DC to Domain run DCPROMO

Same as above.

6.Run DCPROMO on the W2000DC's. Demote to member servers.

Be sure to migrate applicable services from the W2k servers ...

7.Install and configure Primary/Secondary DNS on W2003DC's

your choice ...

If anyone has any experience in this scenario your advice
would be greatly appriciated.

Anything wrong with upgrading your current W2k3 servers first?


-ds

 

[Guest]

Thanks Dave. Good points.

-Sean

-----Original Message-----
See inline -



Unsupported - but will probably work just fine. However, have you
considered possibly upgrading the machines to Windows 2000 and leaving as
member servers then, instead?



Yes. If you want the Windows 2003 server to become a DC or if you expect
the forest to ever have 2003 DCs, you will have to run the AD 2003 versions
of Forest prep and Domain prep.



As mentioned above, run the ADPREP utility first. After that, you may
promote a Windows 2003 server to DC in a 2000 forest and domain. It will
assume the same mode as the domain it is installed in.



Shouldn't be a problem. Use the MMCs or script it as you desire.

Same as above.

servers.

Be sure to migrate applicable services from the W2k servers ...

W2003DC's

your choice ...



Anything wrong with upgrading your current W2k3 servers first?


-ds


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