Upgrading / joining domains

[Fran]

I have two companies that merged. They both run a Windows 2000 domain
in their own forests.

I need to install a single server for Exchange and they want to
upgrade the OS to Windows Server 2003.

What is the best way for me to create a parent domain (foo.com) and
then two separate subdomains (Comp1.foo.com and Comp2.foo.com)? I need
to be able to share the Exchange server and have transitive trusts
between domains.

Any assistance is appreciated, thanks!

-Fran-

 

[Jorge de Almeida Pinto]

you could also create a new forest with one domain and install exchange in
that new forest/domain. In that way both OTHER forests/domains use that
Exchange forest as a Exchange Resource Forest.

Or you could still create a new forest/domain with Exchange and migrate both
other forests/domain to it. See if it is possible to just have ONE forest
with ONE domain

 

[Fran]

The ONE forest is the goal. They want separate domains for many
reasons (the most of which is management issues) but I understand the
ONE forest issue is requird by Exchange, is it not?

If I am going to change the structure of the network topology I want
to do it in the way that makes it easiest to manage. ONE forest will
assist in GPO application as well as user management (I don't have to
create Forest transitive trusts), etc.

But WHAT is the best way to do this?

-Fran-

 

[Jorge de Almeida Pinto]

Yes. one exchange org = one forest

What you could do is:

Create a new forest with a forest root domain and create both new child
domain. Prep the new forest and the domains for exchange. Configure AD and
Exchange accordingly.
Migrate the objects and data from the current forests to the new
forest/domains
For migrating objects, data and servers you could use ADMTv3
If you already have exchange you will need to do a inter-org exchnage
migration

All domains should at least have 2 DCs!!!