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Domain Server demotion steps.

I need to demote the current Windows 2000 domain server and transfer Domain authentication to a Windows Server 2008 machine. What needs to be done so that all active directory information transfers properly?

Mike Kline

First try to always have two DCs in any environment

Second Quick initial comment, have you thought about going to 2008 R2?

Yes you need to prep your forest/domains, more details and step by step in the links below

High level steps:

prep your forest for 2008
install the 2008 member server (can be done before the prep too)
use dcpromo to promote the box
make the box a global catalog (does it by default in the 2008 dcpromo process)
if you have DNS on your 2003 box install it on the 2008 box
At that point you have a fully functional 2008 DC
Transfer FSMO roles to 2008 box
Point clients (static and DHCP) to the new box for DNS services.
once all your 2003 DCs are demoted you can raise the functional level.

There is a lot of great info on this subject already so I won't rewrite the book.

The official Microsoft document

· http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=FA629DE2-F4DD-47AC-8D80-3DB46B2877A2&displaylang=en

I also really like two blog entries by MVPs on the upgrade. One is from Meinolf the other from Sander.

· http://msmvps.com/blogs/mweber/archive/2010/02/10/upgrading-an-active-directory-domain-from-windows-server-2003-to-windows-server-2008-or-windows-server-2008-r2.aspx

· http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/sanderberkouwer/archive/2010/05/26/transitioning-your-active-directory-to-windows-server-2008-r2.aspx

Thanks

Mike

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Sandesh Dubey

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