Upgrading NT & AD to 2003 AD

[kgrinberg]

Ok, here is my situation. We have 3 locations and all 3 locations had NT Servers. I'm currently at the main location and there are no Admins in the other 2 smaller locations. About 6 months ago, I upgraded my main locations NT PDC & BDC to Windows 2000 AD. So now I'm running Windows 2000 AD in Mixed Mode to support my NT BDC. Its all setup as one root domain. I wanted to upgrade my BDC's to 2000, but now I'm thinking that 2003 is already out, I might as well upgrade to 2003. Whats the best way to handle this? Can I upgrade my 2000 AD to 2003 AD and run it in Mixed Mode with NT? By the way, my sites are connected through Frame Relay, so they are directly connected. Can someone advise of what my game plan should be?
Thanks.

 

[jtb]

I upgraded my main locations NT PDC & BDC to Windows 2000 AD. So now I'm running Windows 2000 AD in Mixed Mode to support my NT BDC. Its all setup as one root domain.

So far so good...

I wanted to upgrade my BDC's to 2000, but now I'm thinking that 2003 is already out, I might as well upgrade to 2003.

Not clear thinking... Might want to build a model office and test that your line of business applications are compatible with 2003 first...

Whats the best way to handle this? Can I upgrade my 2000 AD to 2003 AD and run it in Mixed Mode with NT?

Yes, you can; but what is your business case for the several thousands of dollars you are proposing to spend? How will changing the operating system bring in more money or lower costs for your employer?

By the way, my sites are connected through Frame Relay, so they are directly connected.

That is not "directly connected". That is connected across a WAN. And an good/expensive one at that!!

Can someone advise of what my game plan should be?

Upgrade the BDCs from NT to 2000. Move from Mixed Mode to Native Mode. NT support will be gone in December so you have a case for this. And Native mode will help your administration...

Thanks.

You're welcome! ;-)

JTB
Have Certs, Will Travel
"A knight without armour in a [cyber] land."

 

[kgrinberg]

Ok. Thanks for the advice. I forgot to mention this. I'm running Exchange 5.5 right now. I would like to Upgrade it to Exchange 2003. Now Exchange 2003 only runs in 2003 AD as far as I know. So thats why I would like to upgrade atleast my main site to W2k3. Does this change your recommendations in any way?
Thank You