Mixed Mode to Native Mode?

[Ben Blackmore]

Hi,

We're at a point in our AD migration where we can now move the domain to
native mode. I have a few questions first, I've googled microsoft.com but
haven't found the answer to a few questions.

Will switching require a reboot? Is it ok to do it during normal hours, or
should it be done when no users are on?
We're running 250 win2k pro and 2 win2k servers no NT4 PDCs as we migrated
from Novell. Would moving to native benefit us? Looking at some of the stuff
I have read on microsoft.com the only advantage is:

Universal Security Groups
Nest Groups
Integrate some functions of Dial-up networking

Are there any disadvantages? Does it require more system resources?

The only other thing is that we might be moving to XP clients/2003 server in
the future. Would switching to native make this easier?

Cheers

Ben

 

[Tomasz Onyszko]

Will switching require a reboot? no

Is it ok to do it during normal hours, or
should it be done when no users are on?
We're running 250 win2k pro and 2 win2k servers no NT4 PDCs as we migrated
from Novell.

You can do this in bussiness hours

Would moving to native benefit us? Looking at some of the stuff
I have read on microsoft.com the only advantage is:

Universal Security Groups
Nest Groups
Integrate some functions of Dial-up networking

Are there any disadvantages? Does it require more system resources?

No, AD running in native mode will not consume more resources or something

The only other thing is that we might be moving to XP clients/2003 server in
the future. Would switching to native make this easier?

This switch is recommended but not necessery, however - when You will
move to windows 2003 server domain runing in native mode wil get more
benefits from this, as moving next to pure windows 2003 mode will get
some more features avilable to You

 

[Ben Blackmore]

Hi,

Thank for the reply. Just wanted to make sure it was safe to press that
little button without knocking all the users off!

Cheers

Ben

 

[Herb Martin]

Are there any disadvantages? Does it require more system resources?something

Building on Tomasz' response:

No, it won't take more resources (maybe even slightly less on
your PDC Emulator).

Disadvantages: No longer supports NT BDCs.

MOST of the advantages are for people with giant domains.

But, you may find that something else in there helps YOU:

Unversial groups/nesting
Migration INTO the domain
"Domain Local Group" behavior change (local groups on
the domain are no longer restricted to "DC use".)
Some RRAS improvements (control access through policy)
Assign ip by user (who would do this? Ok, someon would.)
LARGER domains supported since we no longer have to keep
the "SAM" for the BDCs to copy.

There must be something else, but it escapes me right now.

--
Herb Martin

Hi,

Thank for the reply. Just wanted to make sure it was safe to press that
little button without knocking all the users off!

Cheers

Ben