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Haradmin

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Transferring existing server services to a new server

Hello, right now we have a server in place (Server A) which is our primary Active Directory DC, our DHCP server and our DNS server, it also serves as our primary File Server running on Win 2000 Server ed.  Server A is very low in disk space right now and therefore we decided to purchase Server B, which is newer and faster but comes with Windows 2003 Server ed. We want to setup Server B as the new Active Directory DC, DHCP server and DNS Server and leave the Server A only as a file server. I have an idea of how to do this in theory, but I have never really done it. I was wondering if someone could suggest some planning tips or direct me to some documentation on a planning strategy to take before doing this big change.
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Jay_Jay70
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Hi Haradmin,

kind of my stock steps but here we go..

can be done quite easily with a clean install of the new server

note - if introducing a 2003 R2 server you will need to run ADPREP tools from the second disk provided before introducing to the network as a DC

1) Promote your new machine as an additional domain controller in an already existing domain - this will allow AD to replicate to the new server
2) Make sure DNS is AD integrated on your old DC to allow all DNS replications also
3) Transfer the FSMO roles to the new server
http://www.petri.co.il/transferring_fsmo_roles.htm
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;255690
4) Make the new DC a Global Catalog under Sites and Services
5) Deactivate DHCP on the old DC (if used) and recreate the scope on the new DC
6) Run DCDIAG to make sure all is well and replication is fine
7) Demote the old DC if you dont intend to keep it as a backup
8) Recreate Shares etc on the new server
9) Reinstall printers and share them etc....

this will allow you to have the complete AD directory on the new DC and clients will barely be aware of any changes


Cheers!
Haradmin,

oh and for removing your old DC just use dcpromo to demote it to a member server
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Haradmin

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Hi Jay Jay70, Thanks for the steps they look very clear and easy to follow. One tricky thing I forgot to mention. Because of a lot mappings through out the network. I would like to make the hostname and IP Address of Server B, the same as server A. Is this as easy as i think, which is just rename and change IP address, once server A is disconnected from the network and everything on server B is configured and set up?
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Jay_Jay70
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