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Joining Windows Server 2008 SBS to existing 2003 domain

Can I join 2008 SBS server to existing non-sbs 2003 domain? I noticed that Microsoft offers Answerfile tool to migrate from 2003 sbs enviroment so I was wondering if I could use this tool to connect non-sbs 2003 domain also? If it does, does the 2008 sbs setup transfer essential Ad roles automatically or do I have to do it same way when connecting 2003 sbs to 2003 non-sbs domain?
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Because we are delivering new server to customer and SBS because its cheaper. I'm aware that SBS want's all master roles and I'm okay with that. This server will be primary AD, Exchange, SQL etc server anyways.

Too bad that 2008 SBS forces to do domain stuff during installation, cannot preinstall (install updates, drivers etc) operating system before actual installation.
Hi Obi.. you can join 2008 to SBS 2003 domain however FSMO roles will be with SBS only.
Windows 2008 server will act as a member server in domain.
Also, make sure to run adprep /domainprep and /forestprep.
Please go through the following link from Microsoft:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc708131.aspx

I hope this information and link will help you a lot. Please let me know..
Thanks,
Hardeep Saluja
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Hi Hardeep

Sorry you understood me a bit wrong. I'm about to install new 2008 SBS server to existing 2003 STD domain. The problem is that 2008 SBS installation forces me to create a domain without an option to join existing one. According to MS documentation I have to create a script file to insert during installation to join new 2008 SBS server to existing domain. But this documentation only covers 2003/2008 SBS -> 2008 SBS migration.
Join the domain on 2008 by going to system properties.. its the same way..
Make sure you do not have certificate services running on 2008 else option to join domain will be grayed out
Also, make sure it is pointing to right dns i.e. sbs
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2008 SBS is different. It seems to install DC and Exchange during Windows installation.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc527546.aspx 
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What do you have to do with the existing 2003 server (NOT SBS) afterwards ?
Can you just leave it as backup DC ?
Do you have to demote it and promote it again ?
Or do you truly have to reinstall it, like it says for SBS2003 migrations ?

Thanks


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If its not SBS you can leave it there running as it is.
Last question I promise ;)

And what happens if the old 2003 server has exchange 2003 on it.
Are the new & old exchange server just installed in the same group ?
Can we just move the mailboxes afterwards (or does setup already do this ?).

Or should we uninstall exchange prior to migration ?

Thanks so much

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I haven't tried with Exchange. SBS2008 Migration manual talks only about migrating from 2003 SBS so I'd suppose that it will merge Exchange stuff too but can't say for 100% sure. Take .pst backups with exmerge and try out?

Otherwise I think SBS Exchange and STD exchange should work along fine...
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I have one setup with 2003SBS + 2007STD Exchange, they work along fine thou they are in different groups (this shouldn matter much because these two can migrate mailbox from each another and relay mail between them). I think it will be pretty much same way with 2008SBS and 2003STD exchange.
I'm installing a 2008 SBS server into a 2000 STD (no exchange) domain.  I notice you say remove all Windows 2000 DCs - is it not possible to do this on a 2000 domain?  What about forest and domain prep? Your thumbnail list doesn't include it?
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Apparently I was wrong, you can join 2008 to 2000 AD but you need to have SP4 on your server and domain functional level at Windows 2000 Native.