Backing up Active Directory for new install
Very new to the whole server side. I have Windows 2003 Std configured as domain controller using Active Directory. My disks are almost full so I need to backup Active Directory so I can restore it when I install a fresh copy of Server 2003 on a new server. I have looked at the Active Directory Migration Tool but most of what I read is about migrating from NT 4 or 2000 to server 2003. How can I backup Active Directory so I can restore all the users and everything when my new server is installed?
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Update... I am researching this for someone else and I am a little mistaken... forgive me as I mentioned I am new. I need to backup or migrate AD from one server and restore it on another server that already has AD setup and installed. Simply backing up will not work as it will override the AD on the destination server. How can I backup or migrate AD from one to another without overriding the destination?
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> And backup, or joining ...
Should have read "Any backup, or joining ..."
Chris
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Thanks guys
I advise you don't do it that way.
Install the new server first, join it to your existing domain and promote it to a DC. Give it a little time to replicate then you can move all the functions you have on the first server to the second.
Make the new Server a Global Catalog:
AD Sites and Services, drill down to the server and open the Properties for the NTDS Settings. Tick the Global Catalaog box.
Install the DNS Service, making sure your existing Forward Lookup Zone is set to AD Integrated. If it is, you won't have to do anything else for this step.
Move the FSMO Roles:
http://www.petri.co.il/transferring_fsmo_roles.htm
(follow the instructions under "via NTDSUtil")
If you want to transfer DHCP you can by following this article:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/325473
Hell of a lot easier than trying to get a System State working on a new system which is almost certain to fail with the network card.
Chris