Hello, everyone. I have a Windows Server 2003 AD Domain running at 2003 level. All 3 DCs are 32-bit. I think I read that there is no way to do an direct upgrade to x64 of 2008 R2 from a 32 bit system. All three DCs are VMWare virtual machines. Do to direction from the powers that be (spent 6 months trying to convince otherwise but to no avail) I need to bring our new Linux file server online to decommission old file servers. The hiccup I have run into is that Samba4 AD must have the domain forest level at a minimum of 2003 R2 to be able to join the domain at all. R2 is not available in the stash of software my boss has been hoarding and he refuses to touch Server 2012. I have managed to convince him to allow 2008 in the interim as we are in the process of a Windows to Linux migration. I just need this new file server online before that migration completes as our current file servers are failing. So, on to my questions:

1.) Is there a 32-bit version of 2008/2008 R2?

2.) Is it possible to retain the CALS from 2003 to 2008 R2?

3.) If direct upgrade/ 32 bit OS not possible, Would I bring 2008 online as its own server and connect as a member server to get AD contents and then seize control from the 2003 DCs?

4.) If Question 3 is the way to go, how can I get (or can I get?) the CALS from the 2003 server to the 2008 server?

5.) if the Windows 2003 DCs are the only ones being upgraded, are their CAL requirements for the new 2008 R2 servers when they are used solely for AD and DNS? Citrix/Servers presented through Citrix are on separate servers from the 3 DCs needing to be upgraded/replaced.

I have tried looking online for this, but I think I may not be using the correct terminology in my search. And the above questions are my only available options from the check writers. Frustrating to put up with.