Upgrading to Windows 2000 Server

[da644]

Hi Everyone.

We currently have a Windows NT 4 Server and would like to upgrade it to Windows 2000 Server. Can anyone advise as to whether an 'upgrade' is possible. I know that you can upgrade the workstation version, but can you do the server version?

Best Regards

Andrew.

 

[icsboi]

Yep! You could update. I've done 3 times in different companies.

IMHO you might follow a procedure like this:

1. Before upgrading you should check the hardware compatibility of the server to Windows2000srv.
Execute winnt32 /checkupgradeonly to have an idea.

2. Be sure about the event viewer. Is it clean from errors?

3. How many Domain and trust relationship do you have in your factory? Plan before starting the update timetable.
users?printers?trusts?

4. Make a back-up of data and (if you want) a back-up of the boot partition (where is winnt folder)of NT4 server(e.g. ghost) to fast replace OS in case of fail

5. Do you have Exchange5.5 in your company? If affirmative, please think to update also to Exchange2000.

6.Cross your fingers and start from the PDC. Remember that in win2000 native mode only old NT4 PDCs will be connected.
If you would like to retain NT4 BDC leave the network to win2000 mixed mode.

7.If you have a lot of users it will take long. Create a maintenance windows and let users knows.


Please, let me know if you need specific details.

Ciao,

Robert

 

[bulkmail]

You might also want to bring up a new BDC (doesn't have to be all that in hardware) then promote it to the PDC--demote your PDC to a BDC. This way you will always have the orignal PDC if your upgrade fails and you can can upgrade your old PDC back.

BM