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kwylie

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Upgrading a domain from W2k to SBS 2003

We currently have a single domain controller in our Windows 2000 SP4 domain.  I'm hoping to find out if the following is possible, and if so, how many problems am I likely to encounter in implementing the following:

1.  Add a new domain controller running Windows 2003 Small Business Server.  This server will also run a new database program that I need to install that requires SQL.
2.  Demote the existing Windows 2000 dc to a backup dc without upgrading the operating system.  We currently don't have any failsafes in place should our main dc go down, so I'm hoping this could minimize our exposure in this area.
3.  The Windows 2000 dc is currently running Terminal Services in application mode.   I would like for this to continue unchanged once the migration to the new SBS server is completed.

Any comments or suggestions on this would be greatly appreciated.
Avatar of Jeffrey Kane - TechSoEasy
Jeffrey Kane - TechSoEasy
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Those are all terrific ideas except that you do not want to have a Terminal Server in application mode running on a DC.  There are no problems with items 1 and 3 as long as you follow the prescribed methods.

1.  Follow this paper to migrate to SBS 2003:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=16414

3.  Follow this paper to add a Windows 2000 Server as a Terminal Server:  http://sbsurl.com/tss2k

As far as the failsafe situation there are many, many things that could cause problems on a network, and losing a connection to your DC is probably lower down the list in MY order of importance.  I've found that as long as you deploy your server on hardware that is appropriate for the job, configure it according to best practices, and maintain it according best practices then you will find that the reliability is excellent.

Additionally, SBS2003 automatically deploys Exchange in Cached Mode which provides a duplicate copy of a person's mailbox locally.  If you run the Configure My Documents Redirection wizard, then the My Documents folder will be on the server with a synchronized cached version on their machine as well.  Both of these items allow for accessing email and documents should there be a connection problem.

Jeff
TechSoEasy
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kwylie

ASKER

Thanks for the quick response.  Just to clarify, the current W2k dc is running terminal services in application mode.  I've given the CEO all the reasons we shouldn't do it, but it's his call and he's willing to take the risk, which is why I'm not going to move terminal services to the new SBS 2003 server once it is up and running.  My plan is to leave terminal services running on the W2k server once it assumes its new role as backup dc.  I just wasn't sure if a backup dc running W2k server would work with a 2003 SBS domain controller.  I'll check out the other links tonite.  Also, we're not running Exchange currently, but I'm hoping I can sell the idea of using it since SBS includes SQL and Exchange.
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Jeffrey Kane - TechSoEasy
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Sorry it took so long to close the question, there was quite a bit of information to review that I had to do after hours.  Thanks for all the links!
no prob.  Good Luck!

Jeff
TechSoEasy