Upgrade Win2K DCs before upgrade/migrate to E2K3 ?

[jdee]

We have a Win2K-only domain with 2 DCs, 1 Ex2K server and 1 subnet. About
200 users.

We're thinking of upgrading to Win2K3/E2K3, but we're not sure whether to
upgrade the domain controllers first or last, with respect to the Exchange
Server.

Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ben Hoffman]

Hi jdee,

You should upgrade your DCs to Windows 2003 first, just make sure your
Exchange Server/s are running at least Exchange 2000 SP3.

Regards

 

[Will]

Hi jdee,

You can run a Windows 2000 domain when you install Exchange 2003. However,
the domain controllers do have to have SP3 or later.

Exchange 2000 however will not run on Windows 2003. So you will need to
upgrade Exchange 2000 before you upgrade Windows 2003.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;822942


Hope this helps,
Will
http://www.exchange-forums.com

 

[hal]

We have a Win2K-only domain with 2 DCs, 1 Ex2K server and 1 subnet. About
200 users.

We're thinking of upgrading to Win2K3/E2K3, but we're not sure whether to
upgrade the domain controllers first or last, with respect to the Exchange
Server.

Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

I am preparing to do the same thing and found a few articles you might
find useful:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;555262
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;555040

and if you are putting the E2003 on new hardware:

http://www.msexchange.org/tutorials/Migrating-Exchange2000-Exchange-2003-Hardware.html

I was wondering if there is any compelling reason to upgrade AD to
2003 (?)

Hal

 

[jdee]

Because it would have to be done sooner or later. Right now we're only in
the planning stages, trying to decide what would make most sense.

For all I know, the domain controllers could be upgraded last.

Thanks for the links, I'll check out the articles.

jd

 

[jdee]

Hi jdee,

You can run a Windows 2000 domain when you install Exchange 2003. However,
the domain controllers do have to have SP3 or later.

Exchange 2000 however will not run on Windows 2003. So you will need to
upgrade Exchange 2000 before you upgrade Windows 2003.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;822942

However, from what I've read, you can have E2K/W2K in a Win2K3 AD
environment, just so there's no misunderstanding.