chencharlie1
asked on
Can windows 2000 and windows 2003 domain controllers coexist?
Dear Experts:
We need to upgrade our existing windows 2000 active directory structure to windows 2003 active directory. There are two windows 2000 domain controllers in our small network.
We will install a windows 2003 member server into our existing win2k AD and promo it as domain controller. At this point, which domain our users are connected when they log into our domain? Are they connected to the old win2k Active Directory or this new win2003 active directory?
How do we know if they are connected to the new win2003 DC or our old win2k DC?
Can they still connect to our existing exchange 2003 server(member server)?
Thanks,
Charlie
We need to upgrade our existing windows 2000 active directory structure to windows 2003 active directory. There are two windows 2000 domain controllers in our small network.
We will install a windows 2003 member server into our existing win2k AD and promo it as domain controller. At this point, which domain our users are connected when they log into our domain? Are they connected to the old win2k Active Directory or this new win2003 active directory?
How do we know if they are connected to the new win2003 DC or our old win2k DC?
Can they still connect to our existing exchange 2003 server(member server)?
Thanks,
Charlie
Jon Brelie
Your new 2003 controller will function in tandem with the 2000 controllers. You will need to transfer the FSMO roles to the 2003 controller and eliminate the 2000 controllers before you can raise the domain functional level.
You can have both DCs running within the same domain both will be working together just like if they were both 2003 or 2000 DCs.
ASKER
1) If I don't transfer the FSMO roles, does that mean that our users can still log into our existing windows 2000 domain and exchange 2003 server like before. Users will not see any differences.
2) If (1) is true, this approach we do the upgrade to 2003 AD is very safe. Because we can just demote this new windows 2003 DC and fall back to our old windows 2000 Active Directory if something happens when we promote this new windows 2003 Domain Controller.
Thanks
2) If (1) is true, this approach we do the upgrade to 2003 AD is very safe. Because we can just demote this new windows 2003 DC and fall back to our old windows 2000 Active Directory if something happens when we promote this new windows 2003 Domain Controller.
Thanks
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ASKER
Great comments!