pabby061203
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Server 2003 and 2008 on the same network
HI, looking for some advice.....
I am planning to put three new servers on the network in a phased approach to replace - one at a time, the older machines. Here is what I am thinking.
One server will replace the mail server currently server 2003 with exchange 2003 - keeping the server OS and mail software the same - just upgrading the hardware.
The other two boxes I am thinking to go server 2008 - one will be a DC with DHCP, DNS, File and print the other will hold sql 2005. Are there any issues with having 2003 and 2008 machines on the same network -or any pitfalls to look out for in this scenario?
I am planning to put three new servers on the network in a phased approach to replace - one at a time, the older machines. Here is what I am thinking.
One server will replace the mail server currently server 2003 with exchange 2003 - keeping the server OS and mail software the same - just upgrading the hardware.
The other two boxes I am thinking to go server 2008 - one will be a DC with DHCP, DNS, File and print the other will hold sql 2005. Are there any issues with having 2003 and 2008 machines on the same network -or any pitfalls to look out for in this scenario?
Last Comment
Not a problem whatsoever. There isn't even a problem in making a Server 2008 machine a Domain Controller - you just need to ensure that the domain schema is correctly prepared and extended to support Windows Server 2008.
What I would first recommend before looking at upgrading your production network is possibly building a small test lab (even if it is just in Virtual Machines on Virtual Server or similar) to ensure all your applications are compatibile with Server 2008. The most common one is Exchange - only Exchange Server 2007 SP1 is supported, and of course, it must have an x64 install of Server 2008 on x64 hardware to run correctly. If you still want to run Exchange 2003, you can do so on a 32-bit install of Windows Server 2003 (R2). It can still interface with Server 2008 Domain Controllers - you just cannot install the software onto a Server 2008 server.
I will post the entire procedure for migrating and upgrading your Active Directory Domain Controller to Server 2008 in a few minutes. It is very similar to the one I gave you in https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/23513495/AD-modification-whilst-adding-a-DC.html, except for a few modified parts introduced in Server 2008.
-tigermatt
What I would first recommend before looking at upgrading your production network is possibly building a small test lab (even if it is just in Virtual Machines on Virtual Server or similar) to ensure all your applications are compatibile with Server 2008. The most common one is Exchange - only Exchange Server 2007 SP1 is supported, and of course, it must have an x64 install of Server 2008 on x64 hardware to run correctly. If you still want to run Exchange 2003, you can do so on a 32-bit install of Windows Server 2003 (R2). It can still interface with Server 2008 Domain Controllers - you just cannot install the software onto a Server 2008 server.
I will post the entire procedure for migrating and upgrading your Active Directory Domain Controller to Server 2008 in a few minutes. It is very similar to the one I gave you in https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/23513495/AD-modification-whilst-adding-a-DC.html, except for a few modified parts introduced in Server 2008.
-tigermatt
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ASKER
Thanks Tigermatt - what an answer ! I have already used this one when I asked about bringing a new DC onto the network ad it all went like clockwork. Do you have any experience in migrating exchange to a new box - we will be keeping it exchange 2003 on server 2003 - this is another of the jobs I have never done before and am looking for some advice - should i post a new question?
thanks
thanks
With regards to your grading comment and performing an Exchange migration, I can provide you with a Swing Migration procedure from http://www.amset.info/exchange/migration.asp. If you want some more detailed information, feel free to post a new question, post a link here (so I see it) and I'll go and take a look for you.
That procedure is essentially that I would recommend to you for performing a migration Exchange 2003 to 2003. It takes you through the entire procedure, beginning to end.
-tigermatt
That procedure is essentially that I would recommend to you for performing a migration Exchange 2003 to 2003. It takes you through the entire procedure, beginning to end.
-tigermatt
ASKER
Hi Tigermatt,
I am in the last half of the swing migration and wanted to ask some questions directly to yourself - I have posted one which was answered by someone else and his reponse has thrown some confusion into the mix - hope you can help -
I am in the last half of the swing migration and wanted to ask some questions directly to yourself - I have posted one which was answered by someone else and his reponse has thrown some confusion into the mix - hope you can help -
Is it possible then, to have both a 2003 DC and a 2008 DC on the same domain? Can you point me to a TechNet doc or something that specifically states such?
Many thanks,
NWCenter IT
Many thanks,
NWCenter IT
Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2003 was based on Windows XP and was released in four editions: Web, Standard, Enterprise and Datacenter. It also had derivative versions for clusters, storage and Microsoft’s Small Business Server. Important upgrades included integrating Internet Information Services (IIS), improvements to Active Directory (AD) and Group Policy (GP), and the migration to Automated System Recovery (ASR).
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Your network doesn't care what operating systems are on it as long as they adhere to the proper protocols and such.
The only thing you would have to look out for is if you were to make a server 2008 machine an AD controller