Windows NT 4 domain to AD

Hi

I am starting to look into converting or migrating a Windows NT domain to a Windows 2003 SP1 AD and had a few questions.

It looks like to preserve our current domain setup I can upgrade the NT domain controller to Windows 2003 to get our first AD controller on. However this is a 5 year old box that I have replaced with a new box. I only want to convert it so I can then bring up another AD from our new 2003 servers and then shut this old box down.
1. Can I use a Windows 2003 CD from one of my new Dell server to upgrade this box and then once I have transfered the roles etc to another licensed server drop it? Or will using the software CD from another server cause an issue?
2. I am not sure what DNS to use on this box. When I deal with new AD domains the DNS is often company.local. However as this is an NT domain its Company_bender which does not strick me as a DNS name I can use. Internally my DNS is company.local.

Or I could migrate the NT domain over to one of the 2003 boxes. The tools and documentation look good. It about 80 IDs and 60 PCs with about 20 PCs setup across a Site to Site 786 VPN.

It just seems to me that converting is easier except for the software and DNS issues that I am unsure about. Or is it easier to migrate?

Thanks

Will
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Relevant Pages

  • Re: NT Domain to AD migration
    ... Windows 2000/XP always prefer Kerberos authentication, ... Server 2003 Active Directory service, ensure that you have designed a DNS ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.active_directory)
  • Re: Secondary DNS and PIX
    ... Of course I updated them with the DNS ... WINDOWS SERVER 2003 FOR SMALL BUSINESS SERVER, ... Windows SBS 2003 SP1 is available. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs)
  • Re: Find AD hostname from Linux command line
    ... The Windows XP workstation gets an IP ... "Register this connection's addresses in DNS" turned ON. ... If I am on a Linux server and do "ping lancelot.ad.mydomain.com", ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.dns)
  • Re: Secondary DNS and PIX
    ... SBS SP1 was a very specific service pack comprising several ... Root hints for DNS means you leave the forwarders ... WINDOWS SERVER 2003 FOR SMALL BUSINESS SERVER, ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs)
  • Re: Two Win2k3 questions ... Roaming Profiles & Access Privileges ...
    ... >DHCP, DNS, Print Server, and File Server responsibilities. ... lookup zone on Windows NT" ... http://support.microsoft.com?kbid=229873 "Delegate Control Wizard Cannot Be Used ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.advanced_server)