Upgrading Windows 2000 DC's to Windows 2003 DC's

[Guest]

Hello all,

Is there a recommended way that Microsoft supports when performing this
task? We currently have 3 Windows 2000 DC's, one of which is housing all 5
FSMO roles. I have a few questions.

1) Can a new Windows 2003 DC integrate in a Windows 2000 Native Mode domain?
I am assuming this to be correct, but I want to verify this.

2) Is there a way that any of the FSMO roles can be split between servers?
If this is not the case and the server that holds the roles fails, can these
roles be seized to another DC?

Any help would be greatly appreciated with this.

Sincerely,

Greg

 

[seth]

1) Yes. Before making the 2003 servers DC's you need to run adprep with
/forestprep and /domainprep switches to extend the schema for the 2003
servers.

2) Yes and Yes. Different servers can hold different roles; if a server
fails holding any of the roles it can be seized by another server.

Some documentation for you to look at:

How to upgrade Windows 2000 domain controllers to Windows Server 2003
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/325379/en-us

Adprep
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pr...elp/bc5ebbdb-a8d7-4761-b38a-e207baa73419.mspx

Using Ntdsutil.exe to transfer or seize FSMO roles to a domain controller
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/255504/en-us

 

[Guest]

Seth,

Thanks for the clarifications. These papers are a great help. One more
question.....Since we are still in a Windows 2000 domain, our Exchange server
is also on a Windows 2000 server with Exchange 2000 installed. After
upgrading the domain to Windows 2003, will there be any issues with Exchange
in its present state? Of course, after the domain upgrade, we will move to a
clean Windows 2003 server and install Exchange 2003 and move mailboxes to
that server.

Thanks for your help.

Greg

 

[seth]

Exchange 2000 will work in a Windows 2003 domain, but...

Will the exchange box be upgraded to Windows 2003 or will it stay as Windows
2000 for the time being?

 

[Guest]

Hello Seth,

The exchange box will not be upgraded to Windows 2003. We will implement a
new Windows 2003 server and install Exchange 2003 on that box (possibly set
up a cluster). At that time, we will move mailboxes to the new email server.
BTW, Exchange 2000 is also in native mode.

My only concern is if Exchange 2000 on a Windows 2000 server will integrate
in a Windows 2003 domain.

Thanks Seth

Greg

 

[seth]

ok, so your windows/exchange 2000 box is staying the same for now
you should be fine, exchange 2000 works fine in a 2003 domain; i had a 2000
server in my 2003 domain until a few months ago (when the server was
retired) and it worked fine

 

[Guest]

Seth,

Thanks for the advice!

Best regards,

Greg

 

[m0rk]

Seth,

Thanks for the advice!

Best regards,

Greg

We upgraded our w2k native domain last week and put in the first 2k3 dc.

Having Exchange2k you will likely need to follow one fix ... have a look
at these, should sort you out:-

http://www.tech-geeks.org/geeklog/index.php?topic=nt-2000
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=314649
http://www.analogduck.com/main/node/28
http://www.petri.co.il/windows_2003_adprep.htm
http://www.petri.co.il/windows_2003_adprep_fix_for_e2k.htm