Windows NT 4.0/Windows 2000 integration

[P]

Hi,

We are running a Windows NT 4.0 server with Exchange 5.5 and file services.
We are planning to migrate user data to a Windows 2000 server but keep
Exchange 5.5 running on the NT 4.0 server. The NT server is a PDC with a
domain called "InternalDom". Our Internet domain is InternetDom. We are
planning to configure Active Directory on the new server with the following
domain tree: InternalDom.ExternalDom.com. I have the following questions:
- How can I setup user accounts, groups and machine accounts replication
between the two servers?
- Do I need to demote the NT server currently PDC for InternalDom?
- What tool should I use to migrate user data once the user accounts exist
on the new server?
- Should I change anything on the XP Pro desktops regarding their domain
membership? They are currently member of InternalDom.

Thank you for your help. I am trying to get a good roadmap before I start
anything. Any comment or link to technical documents about this are welcome.
P

 

[Michael Allman]

Install an NT 4.0 BDC on your new server, take the PDC offline for emergency
rollback, and promote the new BDC to PDC. Then you want to upgrade the new
PDC to Win2k and install Active Directory. All your users/group/security
settings are preserved with this method. If you use ADMT there are some
ugly side affects (ie you have to change your domain netbios name to
accomplish the migration, etc). The upgrade path is solid and I think
you'll be happy with the result.

--
Michael Allman
Windows Server Test Team
Directory Services Setup/Install APIs

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[P]

Thank Michael for your response. What tool do you recommend using to migrate
data along with permissions once I have both servers in the same domain? P