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Join an existing domain to a new SBS server

I have an existing Windows 2003 Standard server acting as a DC for one office. The decision was made to purchase a new SBS 2003 for another office and then both offices were to be joined together through 2 VPN routers. Unfortunately, both servers have their own AD users/computers in place. Is there a way to join the 2003 Standard server to the domain and import all the AD objects? I know that you are only allowed 1 DC in the forest so I would expect to have to demote the standard server before even being allowed to join it to the domain. But demoting the server would lose my AD objects, correct? I would like to find some way to merge the two domains into one so that I can maintain all the security that was previously configured. Please also note that both domain controllers currently have different domain names (not that I think it matters at this point).

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Lee W, MVP

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SOLUTION

Rob Williams

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K2NS

ASKER

Now, does it matter that the 2 domains are separate at the moment? Will ADMT migrate users from DOMAIN1 to DOMAIN2 and still allow access for those users to their files once the demoted server get promoted into DOMAIN2?

pulsharc

Leews procedure sounds correct for migrating to the second domain. You may want to look over this document to be aware of other issues that may come up http://support.microsoft.com/kb/884453.

K2NS

ASKER

Sorry to take so long to accept the solution. I am preparing the migration today and hopefully it goes as planned.

K2NS

ASKER

Ok... I have a questions with ADMT. Do the two servers have to be connected on a local network for it to work? I have the two setup right now connected through a VPN on a separate subnet.

K2NS

ASKER

Ok... I am having trouble trying to get the ADMT tool to work. This is how my current setup is.

DomainB (SBS Server)
192.168.1.254, 255.255.255.0

DomainA (2003 STD)
192.168.0.200, 255.255.255.0

These two sites are joined with a site-to-site VPN (Linksys WRV200). These VPN and traffic appears normal. I would like to transfer the user/computer objects in AD from DomainA to DomainB. But when I run ADMT, selecting the source is no problem. When I select from the target drop downs, I don't see DomainB in the list. I then go to enter the domain name manually in the field and the domain controller box autofills with "<Any Domain Controller>". After clicking next, I receive an error "The specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted. (Error code=1355, domain=DomainB)"

Does anyone know how I can get past this error?