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2003 SBS migration - folder redirection and logon scripts

1)
One of the first todo things listed after succesfully installing 2008 in migration mode, is changing the redirected folders policy on the 2003 source server to point to a new share on the target server.

What if I skip this step and just manually copy the files (robocopy or whatever) and create
the new redirection policy on 2008 ? do I really have to first convert/move users to 2008 before recreating the policy  ? or could I do this by the same time im moving other shared folders ?

2) Should I recreate the old server's logon script on the new one right after I rename/delete it ?
If I do that will  the script run from the new server on users next login ?

Thanks for any help
D.
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BobintheNoc
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If you manually create a new share on the new server, then manually/script a copy of the contents of the old location to the new location, and change the redirection policy--things will likely be ok.  The client machines though, may still reference the OLD location, especially in their client side caches.  There is a support tool or resource kit tool that allows you to manipulate/manage the Client Side Caches via command line (ie. useable in a script/batch file).

The preferred method would be to have the redirection get cancelled and move the the content back to the original location.  You need to adjust this option within your current policy, let it propagate for a while, then deactivate the policy.   At this point, it'll be like you're starting from scratch again.  Then, in the new domain structure, create the new policy and move the content with the policy.

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You may manually copy profiles and other files.  However, DO NOT try to copy redirected folders.  You will make a mess.  Windows retains the former location of the redirected folder in the user's registry and compares that with the location of the folders as issued via group policy.  If they are different, windows will attempt to move the folders to the new location (if that option is set in the group policy).  If windows finds files and folders in the new location already, it will fail the move attempt leaving the original location in the user's registry.  The end result is that every user will have a permanent reference to the old server and windows will complain about it at every logon and log off.
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The guides tell you to modify the original 2003 policy to point to the new 2008 share. All contents will then be moved to that new share. But I guess even better than that is what BobintheNoc says. Disable the policy and let the contents go back to the clients machines. Then I can re apply the policy on the 2008 server whenever I want.

What about the logon script guys ? Should I recreate the old server's logon script on the new one right after I rename/delete it ? If I do that will  the script on the new server policy run on users next login ?

Thanks a lot.
There isn't a difference running the login script from a 2003 or a 2008 server--the client is still the same.  You must, however, verify that the login script will actually run and do what you want it to do.  A line by line analysis is necessary.

Are you naming the 2008 server the same as the 2003 server?  


I  know theres no difference. But since the server is still being migrated im not sure which settings take precedence. If the 2003 or the 2008 SBS.

I may change the name after demoting the 2003 server. Right now both have different names.
When a user logs in, they will get the login script that is on the server that they authenticate to.  That will change in the middle of the migration process when DNS and DHCP get activated on the new server, The clients will be pointed to the new server for authentication. Since you actually have two domain controllers for the same domain while you are migrating, the login script will automatically be replicated between the servers. When you move your shares to the new server change it to point to the shares on the new server.

Thats a good one. When do users actually start authenticating to the new server ? right after 2008 finishes  installing in migration mode ? ( and before starting the migration ?).

About the logon scripts Ive read that those are not replicated but instead have to be removed and recreated on the new server
Wait, you are right. The scripts were copied to the new server.
Why all the guides say to remove them frm the old server and recreate them on the new one ?!
Because they are assuming that they are the default SBS scripts on the old server and they will be seriously wrong.  So they just tell you to remove them and create new ones.  If you've replaced the standard SBS scripts with your own custom ones, then just edit yours to point to the new server on either server when you move the shares.  Otherwise follow the book exactly.

Thanks dons, but in the end I dont get whats the problem about leaving the default 2003 SBS scripts ?

We actually were not using the default SBS script, its there but empty, we created separate scripts. So shall I leave those alone without removing them. Just the default one ?
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Don S.
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