Win2k3 to replace Win2k as DC 1

[lwinstead]

Okay, I need help figuring out what to do here. I just bought a new Win2k3 Std Server, and I intend for it to replace my current Win2k Adv Server as DC. Currently, I'm running Active Directory in Native mode, DHCP, DNS, and WINS on the Win2k Adv Server. As of right now, I have installed the new Win2k3 server as a member server in the domain. Can someone help me with an outline of what I need to do? I keep seeing things about running the 'adprep' command on the current PDC, but what is that all about?

Basically, I have NO idea how to do this, so any step-by-step info would help TONS.

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[markdmac]

Basically what you need to do is get your AD ready for Win2K3 because Win2K3 AD has more settigns in it than the 2k version does. Running ADPREP updates the Schema for you so that your AD will understand this new info.

From the MS site:

The adprep utility supports two command-line arguments:
adprep /forestprep: Runs forest upgrade operations.
adprep /domainprep: Runs domain upgrade operations.

The adprep /forestprep command is a one-time operation performed on the schema operation master (FSMO) of the forest. The forestprep operation must complete and replicate to the infrastructure master of each domain before you can run adprep /domainprep in that domain.

Your first step after making sure that all is well in the current environment is to run ADPREP /FORESTPREP and then wait for it to replicate. You cn then run ADPREP /DOMAINPREP and once again wait for replication. At this point you can run DCPROMO on your Win2K3 server and have it become a DC. Gracefully transfer any roles you want to this new server and set up DNS and DHCP on it if needed. Make it a GC if desired.

If you plan to demote or remove the Win2K DC, then make sure you have all services and FSMO roles running on that box duplicated/moved onto the new server. Use DCPROMO to make the Win2K box a member server. Do not just turn it off.


You may want to refer to the following before taking any action:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;325379

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;555040

I hope you find this post helpful. Please let me know if it was.

Regards,

Mark

 

[lwinstead]

Mark,

Thanks very much for the message. I know you're the only one who answered so far, but I'll throw you a star anyhow!

And as per usual Lawrence style, I forged ahead without waiting for a reply; Friday night I ran adprep with the forest and domain arguments with total success. I then added the Active Directory role to the Win2k3 server (that's exactly what dcpromo.exe is on a win2k/3 server, right?) with total success. And over the weekend, I remotely configured the new server to take on the operations master roles (all 5 of them). I also added the DHCP and DNS roles, with succss. Lastly, I added the Routing and Remote Access role with success, too.

Oh, and the cool thing was that there was an Event entry that STATED that <my new server name> is now the Primary Domain Controller for my domain. Heh.

So, now that I've tranferred all the roles, setup the networking roles, and made sure AD is working properly on the new server, I can just demote the old server? GREAT! That'll just leave the web server and all the various other programs installed that'll have to get moved over.

Thanks a lot, Mark, for helping me out and spelling that out for me.

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[markdmac]

Glad to be of service.

Yes, you can run DCPROMO on the old machine to make it a member server and you can then remove it from the domain if you choose.

Just make sure that all is working well with DNS and DHCP on the new server before you take the old one down.


I hope you find this post helpful. Please let me know if it was.

Regards,

Mark