Upgrading to Windows 2000 Server from NT4

[Tim Anderson]

I am in the process of upgrading from Windows NT 4 to
Windows 2000 and have a few questions.

We currently have a server running Windows NT 4 and it is
a PDC. This server is also a DCHP and DNS server. I have
purchased a new server and installed Windows NT 4 on it
and made it a BDC. My plan is to power off the current
server (PDC) and install windows 2000 on the new server
(BDC). Once the upgrade is complete I am going to run
both servers concurrently. I am slowing going to migrate
the files and applications over. Here are some of my
questions.

Should I load and configure DHCP and DNS on the new
server before the upgrade? If I have the other server
powered off during the upgrade how will Windows 2000 get
DNS info? The servers are configures with static IP's but
the clients use DHCP.

Next is after the upgrade do I need to power my windows
2000 server off and then bring up my Windows NT 4 server
up and demote it. Can there be a PDC and Active Directory
domain controller on the same network? If not can there
me an Active Directory domain controller and a BDC on the
same network?

Is there anything I am missing???

Any suggestions and/or help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Danny Sanders]

The correct way to "upgrade" a NT 4.0 domain is to upgrade the PDC first.

.. I have

purchased a new server and installed Windows NT 4 on it
and made it a BDC. My plan is to power off the current
server (PDC) and install windows 2000 on the new server
(BDC).

This process will create a NEW domain on the upgraded NT 4.0 BDC. The NT 4.0
BDC does not have a writeable copy of the SAM that needs to be carried into
the Win 2k domain in order to keep the same domain SID. New SID = new
domain.

Promote the NT 4.0 "BDC" to PDC then upgrade to Win 2k. This will carry the
domain SID into the Win 2k domain.

Should I load and configure DHCP and DNS on the new
server before the upgrade?

Set up the new server with DNS and DHCP.
See:
"Installing a new domain controller in a new forest"
here:
HOW TO: Promote and Demote Domain Controllers in Windows 2000

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;238369

Next is after the upgrade do I need to power my windows
2000 server off and then bring up my Windows NT 4 server
up and demote it. Can there be a PDC and Active Directory
domain controller on the same network? If not can there
me an Active Directory domain controller and a BDC on the
same network?

#1 you can not "demote" a NT 4.0 PDC, you can only promote a BDC to take
it's place. Promoting a BDC to take the PDC's place will demote the PDC.





#2 There is *no* way* to have a NT 4.0 PDC and a Win 2k DC in the same
domain. To create a Win 2k DC in a NT 4.0 domain you MUST upgrade the PDC
first.



#3 Yes a Win 2k can be a PDC emulator to a NT 4.0 BDC. It becomes a PDC
emulator by upgrading the PDC.

Is there anything I am missing???

Yes DNS setup. AD MUST have a DNS server for AD. Do not use your ISP's DNS
servers. Only use your ISP's DNS servers as forwarders.

See:

How to: Configure DNS for Internet Access In Windows 2000

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;300202

Setting Up the Domain Name System for Active Directory

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;237675





hth

DDS W 2k MVP MCSE