Win2k to Win2k3 Domain upgrade

[lee.james]

We're looking at upgrading our DC's from W2k (SP4) running in a 2000
Native single domain to W2k3.

I've looked at MS article 325379 but still have a few questions.

Unlike the article which mentions Exchange 2000, we are running
Exchange 2003 in native mode. What impact does this procedure have on
it? Any gotchas to be aware of?

Also, it's not explicitly stated, but I'm assuming that after upgrading
my DC's to Win2k3, I'm still operating in Windows 2000 native mode?
It's only until I explicitly tell it to switch the domain mode to Win
2003 native that it will change everything correct?

Thx,

J.

 

[Jorge de Almeida Pinto]

I'm almost sure Exchange 2003 implements the attributes mentioned in the
correct way. As I have never looked at it for myself check the following:

* Logon to a DC
* Open ADSIEDIT
* Right-click on the ADSIEDIT node and select Connect To
* Connect to the well known NC: Schema
* Leave the rest of the stuff as default
* Double-click on "Schema [DC-NAME]"
* Double-click on "CN=Schema,CN=Configuration,DC=YOURDOMAIN,DC=YOURTLD"
* In right window navigate to each attribute and ask the properties and look
at the LDAPDisplayName attribute of the attribute by checking its properties
look for "CN=ms-Exch-Assistant-Name" AND MAKE SURE "lDAPDisplayName =
msExchAssistantName"
look for "CN=ms-Exch-LabeledURI" AND MAKE SURE "lDAPDisplayName =
msExchLabeledURI"
look for "CN=ms-Exch-House-Identifier" AND MAKE SURE "lDAPDisplayName =
msExchHouseIdentifier"

The switch of a mode or a functional level is only made when YOU say so!

As for upgrading the AD domain to w2k3. IMHO, I hate OS upgrades. I prefer
to do a swing upgrade. Introduce a w2k3 DC, move roles and stuff over from a
w2k DC and remove the w2k DC, etc until all w2k DCs have been replaced by
w2k3 DC

--

Cheers,
(HOPEFULLY THIS INFORMATION HELPS YOU!)
# Jorge de Almeida Pinto #
BLOG --> http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/jorge/default.aspx