Win 2000 to 2003

[LittleFishy]

I've got a domain controller server currently running Win Server 2000 which is running out of space so I want to replace it with a new server which will be running 2003. Ideally I don't want my users to notice that the server has been changed, so from what I've read I have to do the following:

New server as member server.
Demote existing domain controller to member, rename and turn off.
Rename the new server & IP (to old ones) and then promote.

Is it as simple as that and will there be any problems with 2000 & 2003 domain controllers on the same network?

Our current network was originally setup with a file & print acting as a domain controller (the one I want to replace), a exchange server also running AD and then the same combination at another site (4 domain controllers in total).

I've seen a few postings asking similar questions, but I want to get it right so would be grateful if anyone could confirm I'm going to be doing it right.

Thanks.

 

[adcfaq]

no, u need to adprep first to enroll 2k3 DC if you have 2000 domain.

next, u need to promot the 2k3 DC , if 2k3 DC is only a DC, u don't need to do anything, users will be authendicated anyway, if by any "bad practice" is a File server and u use lots of map drive on clients, u may demote the 2000 DC and rename the 2k3 DC to the same name as previous 2000 DC, that's it.

-----
Directory Services/Exchange Consultant

 

[LittleFishy]

Thanks for the reply, but I may be being stupid but the documents I've read on Microsoft's site, talks about preparing your network to upgrade to 2K3 using adprep. All I want to do is have one of the DCs as 2K3 (as servers get replaced they will become 2K3). By running adprep on the other 2K DC's will they/network remain the same and adprep just allows the 2K3 server on to the network? I'm just concerned that going on the other 2K DC's and running adprep will muck them up.

 

[aftertaf]

adprep will enable them to be DCs in a 2003 domain, it will 'upgrade' your schema and AD to 2003.
it wont mess anything up, but have a system state backup handy in case ;-)

Aftertaf
________
I reserve the right to be wrong, be confused, be suffering because it is monday, or because it is nearly the weekend.

 

[MikeBatters]

One things to note.

Do you have any Win 98 clients becuase you will need to install the AD Client on them before you do any of this.

Mike

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