FSMO Roles

It should not have any affect on the users.  Having said that I don't want to be a hypocrite.  I've always done changes during off hours (per policy where I work usually).

Thanks

Mike

We have tried doing this in Windows 2003 & 2008 server environments. We had a problem during production hours on the 2003 server. In theory, it should be ok, but we made a decision to do all future role moves after production hours to be safe.

Transferring FSMO's is 5 Minute procedure but the change is big in Nature even if something breaks there may be major impact on domain ...However doing so will not affect end user under normal circumstances still such activities should be performed off Hours

I have now all 5 roles on one server - server 1,
I will move

schema and domain naming to server 2
infrastructure to server 3 and I will turn off the GC on server 3

So the PDC and Rid will stay unattached on server 1

As you mention plan is right because Infrastructure and GC both are not configure on the same server in network.

Try to make all your DCs GCs if you can.  That is the best practice.

Thanks

Mike

Why create such complex environment ..? When all DC's are GC it doesn't really matters where you are placing the IM role

How many DOMAINS (not domain controllers) do you have?  Are you planning on more?

How large is your environment?

this is recommended by microsoft so I thought I will follow that and make sure I do not have all roles on one server as I do have now

Schema Master and Domain Naming Master to be on the same machine. This server should also be a GC
PDC Emulator and RID Master to be on the same machine as well. This should be a good machine to handle the load.

Infrastructure Master that do not host GC, but it is in the same side with another server hosting GC.

When people say something is recommended by Microsoft (especially FSMO placement) I find it's USUALLY because their misreading something.  Please tell us where you read this and how many domains and users.

I would suggest you to read this too
http://www.petri.co.il/planning_fsmo_roles_in_ad.htm
http://www.sole.dk/how-to-place-fsmo-and-global-catalog-roles-in-active-directory/

More on making every DC a GC  

http://blogs.technet.com/b/askds/archive/2011/09/30/friday-mail-sack-super-slo-mo-edition.aspx#gc

Thanks

Mike

Moving most of the roles should be fine.  However, I agree with everyone else here.  It should be done after hours.

The only issue you will run into the the Schema Role is not one that moves very easily.  I would consider leaving that one on server 1 and move the rest.