Switching from PDC to BDC

[Dedcrayzie]

I'm hoping someone will be able to help me with this one. We've a Digital Prioris XL Server 5133, WinNT 3.51 and running Winframe 1.7, currently setup as the PDC. The BDC is currently a Dell PowerEdge 4300 running WinNT 4.0, Svc Pk 6. What I'm trying to do is to make the Dell the PDC and the Digital as the BDC. My questions are as follows;

1. Is it a fairly straightforward process?

2. What would I need to put in place for the swap?

I would be most grateful if I could be pointed in the right direction.

Thx

 

[NortonES2]

I you select Server Manager from:-

Start, Programs Admin Tools

then select your current BDC and select Computer from the menu there is an option here to promote the BDC to a PDC.

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If it doesn't leak oil it must be empty!!

 

[pvanos]

Well, in principle this should not be too difficult :
on the Dell, open server manager (srvmgr), and click on the BDC. Then click Computer > Promote to Primary Domain Controller.

After this, check on the directory replication: Control Panel > Server > Replication
Now make sure on your new PDC : Export Directories is selected, and Do Not Import.
On your new BDC : the other way around.
Then you may initially need to copy the contents of the NETLOGON share on the old PDC to the REPL$\Scripts share on the new PDC.

After you make sure none of the above folders is open on any workstation or server, you can stop and restart the "Directory Replicator" service in the Control Panel > Services on the PDC.
Then check whether the replication is carried out normally. After some time the date stamps of all files in the corresponding directories on PDC and BDC's should be the same.

 

[Dedcrayzie]

Thanks peeps,

I'll give your suggestions a try and let you know how I get on.

 

[Dedcrayzie]

Thanks peeps,

I'll give your suggestions a try and let you know how I get on.

 

[Dedcrayzie]

Vanos,

I tried your suggestion but hit a brick wall straight away. The option to promote the BDC is greyed out. I believe I need to give the rights for this to happen from the PDC however I'm not familiar with the in NT 3.51 which is what the PDC runs. Any pointers please?

 

[NortonES2]

You need to be logged in as Administrator. Sorry but my memory of 3.51 has completely faded / disappeared.

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If it doesn't leak oil it must be empty!!

 

[Dedcrayzie]

Norton,

I'm logged on as administrator. I'm able to open up the server manager but from there on, I'm lost in the wilderness of 3.51.

 

[pvanos]

Dedcrayzie,

just double-checking : have you actually selected the BDC (the NT4-server, right?) before clicking on Computer > Promote to Primary Domain Controller ?

NortonES2,
I disagree on "If it doesn't leak oil it must be empty!!" ;-)
I've got a Norton Commando MKII (1978) myself, and it does no longer leak oil when parked. It DOES leak oil when driving though... But that is only projected on your legs and so, not on the floor in the garage...
Love this Norton much better than the Symantec version.
Keep the rubber side down ! (Sorry for this, Dedcrayzie, Norton-drivers are a special breed)

 

[Dedcrayzie]

Vanos,

I'm actually highlighting the BDC before clicking on Computer. I found it pretty strange myself. Don't know if this means much but the icon for the BDC in the list is greyed out too. I'm hoping to attack it afresh on monday. Let's keep on keeping on.

 

[geniph]

It's been almost seven years since I used 3.51, so forgive me if this is in error, but something in the hazy depths of my brain tells me that you CAN'T do a promote/demote between 3.51 and 4.0...is there any possibility of upgrading the 3.51 box? Your promotion should work then.

 

[pvanos]

dedcrayzie,

I would recommend, like Geniph, to upgrade the PDC running NT3.51 to NT4.0 first, and then carry out the promotion.
Do you have any particular applications or services currently running on the NT3.51 server, that might not run under NT4 ?

 

[Dedcrayzie]

Pvanos,

Sorry 'bout the delay in the reply to your question. I was off work yesterday and wan't avaliable at the weekend either. The NT 3.51 box currently runs WinFrame 1.7. I'm not sure how an upgrade too NT4 will impact on the functionality of the application. Any suggestions? I'll meanwhile check on the restrictions on the functionality of WinFrame 1.7. Will be posting again with my findings.

Thx

 

[Dedcrayzie]

Also I've just checked and we can't upgrade to NT4 because of the specs of the server (pretty old sluggard I must say). It's a Prioris XL5133 and it's the memory that is preventing us from possibly upgrading.

Anyway I hope we're able to find a way around the issue.

Thx