Domain Controller upgrade

[elitecodex]

Hey everyone... We have an old Windows 2K Server (PIII 450) that currently runs as our primary domain controller. We just recieved a Windows 2003 Standard Edition server and I am attempting to convert our primary domain (while also changing the name of the domain).

I have the new domain setup on the 2K3 server, but do not want to manually re-create each user. Is there a way I can export/import the information (namely the users) to the new server?

Also, we have a file server that is currently associated with user accounts on our existing domain. If I convert it over to the new domain, are the permissions going to stay the same?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[asktheman]

There is a few way to do this..

First of all, Why change the domain name. Is it a must???

You can add the new 2k3 server to the existing domain as a DC (if your 2k domain is in native mode you will have to run adprep /forestprep and adprep /domainprep first) and then transfer the FSMO roles to the new server. Once all is in place dcpromo out the 2k servers and then add it to a work group this will be the easiest and all users permission and all are preserved.

If the domain must change. Then you ave to establish and 2 - way (transitive) trust between the domains. Installed ADC for AD and then use the ADMT (active directory Migration tool) to migrate member servers (for application server you need to consider other options, like are the apps coded to your old domain. do the login accounts for users and service reference a domain.. etc.) and users and computers to this new domain.

Do you have exchange.

 

[elitecodex]

We need to change the domain for a few reasons... I would like to have one less computer to worry about

We do not have exchange or any application servers to worry about. My only concern would be the file server and the permissions associated with all the folders/files. They are all associated with the existing domain name.

So let me make sure I have this straight... I simply add the 2k3 server on the existing domain as another domain controller then use the migration tool to transfer all the information to the new server... then move the old domain controller to its own workgroup and all should be well?

Am I missing anything?

 

[bustamove]

use AD domain renaming tool, maybe?

 

[rvnguy]

elitecodex,

"asktheman" has the correct procedures and if you must then after this is complete you can re-name as a last step as "bustamove" suggests. As stated you will install the new as a "BDC" server first and later promote it to be the "DC".
You did not elude to the type of file server you are running?? Is another MS server on the domain? or some type of NAS or SAN? If not MS on the domain you will have to peruse the documentation to insure that access is maintained. If on MS then settings/permissions will follow.

I suggest you obtain the "File Server Migration Toolkit" from MS.
You might want to see

Upgrading from Windows 2000 Server to Windows Server 2003

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/upgrading/w2k/default.mspx

rvnguy

"I know everything..I just can't remember it all