Single NT 4 domain to Win2003 AD? and Exchange 2003

[Anthony]

Hi group,
I currently have a windows nt 4 based network with a single domain, 8
servers, 2 which are running windows 2000 in member server mode. One nt 4
box is running exchange 5.5. I want to install a brand new server with
Windows 2003 Server, and Exchange 2003 server. From what I have heard I
should migrate each mailbox from 5.5 to 2003 one mailbox at a time? How will
I go about doing the AD migration since I won't be upgrading all the servers
to win2003 at once?
Any help will be appreciated. Thanks, Anthony

 

[Leonard Severt [MSFT]]

Hi group,
I currently have a windows nt 4 based network with a single domain, 8
servers, 2 which are running windows 2000 in member server mode. One
nt 4 box is running exchange 5.5. I want to install a brand new server
with Windows 2003 Server, and Exchange 2003 server. From what I have
heard I should migrate each mailbox from 5.5 to 2003 one mailbox at a
time? How will I go about doing the AD migration since I won't be
upgrading all the servers to win2003 at once?
Any help will be appreciated. Thanks, Anthony

I can't help with the Exchange question but can address the OS upgrade.
Here are the steps.

Have at least 1 NT4 BDC.

Make certain it is synced with the PDC.

Physically disconnect the BDC from the network.

Upgrade your NT4 PDC to Windows 2000 or 2003. If you have a critical
failure then you can connect your BDC and promote it to get back your
NT4 domain.

Connect your NT4 BDC and upgrade it to Windows 2000 or 2003.

Build up your new Windows 2003 server and join it to domain.

Install Exchange 2003 and do the migration.

Leonard Severt
Windows 2000 Server Setup Team