Upgrading to 2003 Domain controller

[Variable D]

I need to put a 2003 DC up on our existing internal network. The boss does NOT want me to upgrade one of the existing DC's using the upgrade applets. What they want me to do is to bring up a new 2003 DC, replicate and then disconnect the other DC's . If you can give me any warnings,tips, OMG's on this strategy I would be appreciative. Again, Upgrading and existing 2000 controller is not an option.

 

[Rapidskies]

By making the 2003 server a DC you are effectively upgrading your 2000 domain to a 2003 domain. You will have to extend the schema to do this so you are in effect changing all the 2000 DC's active directory.

You also say your are going to remove all the 2000 DC's from the network after you make the 2003 a DC?

 

[mobilecommand]

howdy

What you need to do is update your 2000 ad schema to 2003. Install a new 2003 server, dc promo it into your AD. If you are taking your other dc's off line then transfer your fsmo roles off you 2000 dc's to 2003 dc's.. once that is done dcpromo your old 2000 dc's out of AD and done... Also you should have more then 1 DC and split the fsmo roles between them..


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;325379

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;555040

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;255690

 

[Variable D]

Sorry it took so long to get back. Rapidskies, they want to take down the 2000 controllers and bring up the new 2003 controller after a replication. That way if something isn't working they can take down the 2003 DC and bring the 2000 DC's back up.

What affects will updating the schema to 2003 have if the DC's are all 2000?

 

[Rapidskies]

By putting a 2003 DC online you are extending all your 2000 DC's schemas to 2003. Once you upgrade your schema there is no going back by just taking the 2003 DC offline. Whatever 2000 DC that is on at the time is also now extended. You could leave 1 DC on and do your migration at that time as long as the needed FSMO roles, DNS are available and leave the rest of the 2000 DC's offline. If something fails you are just dealing with the 1 2000 DC and the 2003 DC.

I've only done a few 2000->2003 migrations but they all ran fairly smoothly. Good luck!