Mixed Mode to Native Question

[Creative Door]

We are running in a mixed mode, with 2 windows NT computers, and the rest
Windows 2000. Since we have the NT computers, we are only able to have 1
primary domain controller and multpile backup domain controllers. Once we
remove the NT computers and upgrade to Native mode, will the backup Domain
controllers automagically become regular domain controllers?

thanks

 

[David Brandt [MSFT]]

Native mode basically requires that there be no nt4 bdc's present in the
enviornment, nor the need to add any in the future. You can still have nt4
servers (file, print, etc) in the domain in native mode, it's just that all
of your dc's will be 2k. You won't be able to go to native mode as long as
any of those nt4 bdc's are still present.

--
David Brandt
Microsoft Corporation

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Please do not send e-mail directly to this alias. This alias is for
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[Timothy H. Schilbach]

Hey There,

In Active Directory there is no such thing anymore as a BDC or a PDC.
Instead one of your AD servers has a ROLE called the PDC Emulator. This
function is to authenticate all pre win2k systems to the AD.

Once you upgrade the ROLE will go away. Your AD by design is setup be be
load ballanced and will auth against the 1st server to respond. So by design
its not going to act any different for your win2k servers in Native Mode.

-Timothy

 

[Enkidu]

Native mode basically requires that there be no nt4 bdc's present in the
enviornment, nor the need to add any in the future. You can still have nt4
servers (file, print, etc) in the domain in native mode, it's just that all
of your dc's will be 2k. You won't be able to go to native mode as long as
any of those nt4 bdc's are still present.

Well, I believe that you will be able to switch mode, but any
remaining BDC will no longer function as BDC. Am I correct?

Cheers,

Cliff

 

[Enkidu]

The PDC EMulator role will remain. There are a couple fo functions the
PDC Emulator has in a native mode Domain. It acts as the primary time
source for the Domain, and also preferentially receives important
security information, such as password changes.

Cheers,

Cliff

 

[David Brandt [MSFT]]

You are. Should have been clearer I guess, as the bdc's will no longer
respone to netlogon so will be for all purposes dead machines.

--
David Brandt
Microsoft Corporation

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Please do not send e-mail directly to this alias. This alias is for
newsgroup purposes only.

 

[Guest]

They won't automatically become dc's. They will become dormant dc's in the fact that they will not answer any logon requests but can be used as servers. Or you can upgrade them to Windows 2000 and install AD to make them dc's. Just remember that if you upgrade a pdc it is automatically installed as the root dc in a new domain whereas upgrading a bdc gives you the option of determining the position of the dc in the domain or forest hierarchy

 

[Cary Shultz [A.D. MVP]]

As well as playing an extremely important role for GPOs....

Cary