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Decommision old NT4 server and move to new 2003 server hardware

Hi I am confused after reading many methods of moving from an NT domain to 2003. Can you conifrm if this will work please?

My network consists of an NT 4 server which I intend to replace with new hardware running 2003. So once the 2003 server is up and running the show, the NT4 server will be shutdown for good.

I am expecting to follow this basic procedure:

1. Add 2003 server to NT4 domain as a Member server
2. Install AD and promote to DC (Windows Server 2003 Interim mode)
3. Decommission NT4 server
4. Raise Domain Functional level to Windows Server 2003

Do I need to do anything else? I keep seeing mentions of having to use an NT4 BDC but not sure if this applies as I am intedning to use a fresh 2003 server which will ultimately replace the NT4 server.

Thanks

Brian Pierce

No you don't need an NT4 BDC, if you have an NT4 Domain controller you must remove it before raising the Domain Functional Level, otherwise it will encounter problems
Don't foget that you will need to install DNS on the new machine (AD Integrated recommended) and you will need to point your clients at the new DNS server. You may also want to install and authorise DHCP.

Once the Domain Functional level is raised you mighr as well raise the forest funtional level as well to get all the benefits of Server 2003.

See http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsServer/en/library/aa8a4ec6-f6f1-4f43-92a8-207ec46202261033.mspx?mfr=true

Lee W, MVP

Sorry, that's not how you upgrade to Active Directory. You need to upgrade your NT4 PDC to 2003. I'm not even sure what kind of trouble might await if you do your plan.

I'm still working on it - hopefully I'll finish it later tonight, but you might want to read over my page on the topic of moving from NT4 to 2003.

http://www.lwcomputing.com/tips/static/nt2ad.asp

Lee W, MVP

(The "more detail" steps are what are currently incomplete).

westermo

ASKER

Thanks KCTS I have already sort of catered for the functional level and am trying to concentrate on the upgrade path itself.....

Thank you also leew, perhaps I will do the following - can you confirm if this is correct/suitable please?

1. Add new 2003 server to NT4 domain as a Member server
2. Upgrade existing NT server to 2003 (Windows Server 2003 Interim mode)
3. Promote new 2003 server to DC and Global Catalogue
4. Decommision the upgraded 2003 server
4. Raise Domain Functional level to Windows Server 2003

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Lee W, MVP

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tigermatt

No comment has been added to this question in more than 21 days, so it is now classified as abandoned.

I will leave the following recommendation for this question in the Cleanup Zone:

Accept leew's comment as answer

Any objections should be posted here in the next 4 days. After that time, the question will be closed.

tigermatt
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westermo

ASKER

oops

Foorgot bout this - sry. Thanks for all help - I ended up installing all fresh in the end.... :D