DC status and new DCs after W2K3 forest/domain schema upgrade

[GJB]

After running the W2K3 forestprep and domainprep on the existing DCs in a
W2K forest/domain is it necessary to upgrade any of the existing DCs before
builing and introducing new W2K3 DCs?

I would like to upgrade my domain to W2K3 (and EX2K3), then install brand
new W2K3 servers, promote them to DCs, take over the FMSO roles and demote
the old W2K DCs. Is this viable and is it ok to run with just the W2K DCs
for any length of time before introducing the new W2K3 DCs?

Also, as all my EX2K servers are not DCs, is it advisable/possible to do the
EX2K3 forestprep/domainprep at the same time i.e before installing the new
W2K3 DCs? Are there any issues with running EX2K member servers (clusters
actually) in this environment until I introduce new EX2K3 servers?

Thanks,

Gee

 

[Leif Pedersen [MVP]]

Hi,

Answers inline

Leif

After running the W2K3 forestprep and domainprep on the existing DCs in a
W2K forest/domain is it necessary to upgrade any of the existing DCs
before builing and introducing new W2K3 DCs?

Not necessary

I would like to upgrade my domain to W2K3 (and EX2K3), then install brand
new W2K3 servers, promote them to DCs, take over the FMSO roles and demote
the old W2K DCs. Is this viable and is it ok to run with just the W2K DCs
for any length of time before introducing the new W2K3 DCs?

You can do that with no problems

Also, as all my EX2K servers are not DCs, is it advisable/possible to do
the EX2K3 forestprep/domainprep at the same time i.e before installing the
new W2K3 DCs? Are there any issues with running EX2K member servers
(clusters actually) in this environment until I introduce new EX2K3
servers?

The e2k3 forestprep and domainprep before the adprep commands would avoid
this: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314649/en-us

 

[GJB]

Leif,

Many thanks for your reply, it has re-assured me. Two further questions :-

As I already have EX2K I was intending to perform the mangled attribute fix
for Inetorgperson before doing the W2K3 adprep. Are you saying that if I do
the EX2K3 forestprep/domainprep, I would not need to do that?.
The mangled attributes question asise, does it make any difference which
order the W2K3 and EX2K3 schema updates area appiled?

Thanks again,

Gee

 

[Leif Pedersen [MVP]]

Hi,

Answers inline:

Leif

Leif,

Many thanks for your reply, it has re-assured me. Two further questions :-

As I already have EX2K I was intending to perform the mangled attribute
fix for Inetorgperson before doing the W2K3 adprep. Are you saying that if
I do the EX2K3 forestprep/domainprep, I would not need to do that?.

That is correct. The E2K3 forestprep fixes that problem

The mangled attributes question asise, does it make any difference which
order the W2K3 and EX2K3 schema updates area appiled?

Doesn't matter which order you apply these changes