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Need to replace a Windows 2000 Domain Controller with a Windows 2003 Standard Server that is currently a member of the domain. What steps do I need to take?

My Current setup is Windows 2000 server (Primary Domain Controller), Windows 2000 Terminal Server (Backup Domain Controller), and a Windows 2003 Standard server that has been joined to the domain and has some data shares on it.

I need to have the Windows 2003 server become the new domain controller and phase out the current Windows 2000 Primary Domain controller. Can someone give me a step by step on how to do this? I've found here something about moving FSMO roles? Also, currently Active Directory is not installed on the 2003 server so I know that will need to happen at some point as well during this process.

Is this typically a pretty easy thing to do? It seems like it should be, but I'm trying to find out what I'm getting into before I get there! :)

Thank You for all of your help!

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Alan Huseyin Kayahan

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bscott13

ASKER

Do i run the "ADPrep /forestprep" and "ADPrep /domainprep" from the current Windows 2000 PDC or will this be run on the Windows 2003 server? Also, the 2003 server is a member of the domain but does not have Active Directory installed. At what point will I need to do this and will there be any special options I need to choose?

Thanks!

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Brian Pierce

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bscott13

ASKER

Thank you very much KCTS for the in depth explanation. That's exactly the type of explanation I was looking for.

My only question is when do i need to install Active Directory on the Windows 2003 server? It is currently just a file server on the domain. I would assume i need to install AD right away on the 2003 server. Is there any special options I need to look out for when doing the AD install? It's been awhile since i've done an AD install but I do remember it asking things such as member of a new forest, etc. Which should I choose?

Alan Huseyin Kayahan

After adprep on 2000 DC is completed, you can start installing active directory on new 2003 server.
*Start>run>dcpromo
Follow the instructions and choose additional domain controller. After restart, your 2003 server is a DC with AD installed
Then follow the instructions I posted (in petri) for making your new server the PDC (transferrings FSMOs)

Regards

bscott13

ASKER

Thanks MrHusy for your input as well. I appreciate the input that both of you provided.

I'll be doing this cut over tomorrow night. Any idea how long this would typically take? Couple hours for the AD prep, setup, and move?

Alan Huseyin Kayahan

Hi bscott13
It shouldnt last longer than 1 hour if no problems/coincidences encountered

Regards

bscott13

ASKER

I forgot to ask, do I need to run the domain and forest prep on the terminal server as well or will it propogate over the network after running it on the primary domain controller?

Thanks!