Replacing old windows 2003 server with Windows 2008 domain controller
I have an old Windows 2003 domain controller running on a VMware virtual machine on Windows 2008 server. There is a second domain controller on the network that I want to remove from the network.
I'm getting a brand new server running Windows 2008 R2 that I want to use as the new domain controller.
By the way, I already have a new Windows 2008 R2 running Exchange 2010 standard and Exchange has been working great for over one year now. I don't want to mess this up, especially if Exchange is in the picture.
Here is what I'm thinking about doing.
1. Remove the second domain controller from the network - demote it to just a windows server. It's currently being used as a file sharing server right now, which will be replaced also with a new windows 2008 r2 server.
2. Migrate 2003 to 2008 R2 as domain controller.
3. Remove 2003 from the network.
At the end I should have only one domain controller running on Windows 2008 R2 (new server), Exchange working without any problems (existing server), and a new file server (this server replaces the current second domain controller on the network as file sharing only).
What is the easiest and fastest way of doing this without any potential down time?
I'm getting a brand new server running Windows 2008 R2 that I want to use as the new domain controller.
By the way, I already have a new Windows 2008 R2 running Exchange 2010 standard and Exchange has been working great for over one year now. I don't want to mess this up, especially if Exchange is in the picture.
Here is what I'm thinking about doing.
1. Remove the second domain controller from the network - demote it to just a windows server. It's currently being used as a file sharing server right now, which will be replaced also with a new windows 2008 r2 server.
2. Migrate 2003 to 2008 R2 as domain controller.
3. Remove 2003 from the network.
At the end I should have only one domain controller running on Windows 2008 R2 (new server), Exchange working without any problems (existing server), and a new file server (this server replaces the current second domain controller on the network as file sharing only).
What is the easiest and fastest way of doing this without any potential down time?
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What we mean is that you must setup a new server loaded with Server 2008 R2 and then add the DC roll to this server. Once this new server is up and running as a DC you can demote the 2003 DC and decommission it.
ASKER
I have to transfer all the fsmo roles to the 2008 r2 before "demoting" 2003 right?
That would be correct.
Yes,you need to transfer fsmo role before you demote DC and also configure authorative time server role as suggested.
I will recommend to shutdown the old dc and check the impact during business hours and if no issue reported by users then proceed with demotion.
I will recommend to shutdown the old dc and check the impact during business hours and if no issue reported by users then proceed with demotion.
ASKER
Could you please elaborate more and point more specifics?
would this encompass everything that I need to do? > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LatpzBtkJUI