Schema update forest and domain
I have a network which is running a 2000 forest level and a 2003 domain level. There are two 2003 Domain controllers in place now. I would like to add a 2008R2 Domain controller into the domain and also keep the 2003 Domain Controllers in place but at lower roles. I will want the 2008R2 DC to take over the FSMO roles, and then over the course of time I would like to demote the 2003 DCs and go completely with a 2008R2 infrastructure. I have read that doing a schema update on the forest level to 2008 would be bad if I want to keep a 2003 DC in place in the domain... thus can someone give me an overall solution to accomplish this task, which is to do a Schema update to accomodate a 2008R2 DC (I have memever servers in place already), transfer the FSMO roles to the 2008R2 DC, then over time demote the 2003 DCs and introduce aother 2008R2 DC. I would also like to know if it is possible to do a schema update now to 2008R2 BEFORE adding in a 2008R2 domain controller? Say, for example, I wanted to put the 2008R2 DC in place next month, but I just want to prep the forest/domain for it now... what steps would I take to do this?
Thank you...I greatly appreciate it!
Thank you...I greatly appreciate it!
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Forestprep and domainprep will not affect your 2003 DCs. I would recommend updating your forest level to 2003 as well if you don't have any Windows 2000 servers as DCs
I have a 2003 DC and 2 2008 R2 DC's on the same network - it is not an issue.
Follow the steps you have outlined and you will be fine.
You will need the 2008 R2 DVD in the Windows 2003 server - if the 2003 server has a DVD! If not - find a DVD drive, share it out and run the commands from the shared DVD drive.
Follow the steps you have outlined and you will be fine.
You will need the 2008 R2 DVD in the Windows 2003 server - if the 2003 server has a DVD! If not - find a DVD drive, share it out and run the commands from the shared DVD drive.
You can copy the files as well to the Windows 2003 server from another
ASKER
Hi all - thanks for the info. I have one more question about this, because I am going to be attempting the Schema update this weekend. Do I have to update the Forest if this is just a one-domain site? Can I just leave the forest at 2000 (via forestprep) and do the Schema update to 2008 on the domain (domainprep) only?
Thanks for all the info...!
Thanks for all the info...!
You need to run adprep /forestprep and adprep /domainprep for the domain to be ready to accept a Windows 2008 /2008 R2 Domain Controller:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc753437(WS.10).aspx
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc753437(WS.10).aspx
You should just do both
ASKER
Thank you both for your help - sorry it took so long to resopnd and apply the points. it's been busy with my new 2008 Domain Controller. ;) I'm going to transfer the FSMO roles this weekend, and demote the 2003 servers soon after. Thanks again for your help!
ASKER
So basically you're saying I can just do:
Preparing your Active Directory infrastructure for upgrade includes the following tasks:
•Prepare the forest schema by running adprep /forestprep.
•Prepare each domain where you want to install a domain controller that runs Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2 by running adprep /domainprep /gpprep.
I'm concerned about the forestprep... I don't want to do something on a forest level that would kill the ability to have a 2003DC in place... I've done a forestprep and domainprep before a long time ago, and am grateful for any steps or help that you can provide. Keeping in mind what I am trying to accomplish, what would the steps be that I need to take to just update the schema this week (for example), then introduce the 2008R2 DC next week?
Thank you again!