Re: Server 2003 in Mixed Mode - Moving to Native

Mike, thank you. I thought I was good to go unitl I learned of raising the
Forrest Functional Level as well. I.e., I thought I only had to raise the
Domain Functional level. Also, this confuses me (as taken from
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/library/DepKit/939ac9ef-4bf0-4b2d-af15-298f2aa48acd.mspx)

"If you have or will have any domain controllers running Windows NT 4.0 and
earlier or Windows 2000, then do not raise the domain functional level to
Windows Server 2003. Once the domain functional level is set to Windows
Server 2003, it cannot be changed back to Windows 2000 mixed or Windows 2000
native."

Where it mentions "...If you have or will have any domain controllers
running Windows NT 4.0 and earlier or Windows 2000" do they mean Windows 2000
DOMAIN CONTROLLERS or Member Servers? We have many Server 2000 Member Servers
as well as NT 4.0 Member Servers.

All we want to do is to move to Native Mode to take advantage of Active
Directory's features. What is the best path to this? Again, we've dual Server
2003 DC's and both NT 4.0 and W2K Member Servers. No WAN. Currently we are at
a Domain Level of Windows 2000 Mixed and a Forest Level of Windows 2000.

Given that these NT 4.0 and W2K Member Servers will be around for a long
time, what in your opinion is our best option: 2000 Native or Server 2003
Mode?

I apologize for the lengthy Post but sincerely do appreciate your valuable
input.

GLT


"Mike Brannigan [MSFT]" wrote:

> "GLT" <GLT@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:E9F4459C-D2E7-4D46-B1D7-2278517EE2E0@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > We currently are running Server 2003 in Mixed Mode, Integrated AD. We have
> > two Server 2003 DC's and we have two NT 4.0 BDC's. We want to move to
> > Native
> > Mode and I've not been able to find much documentation on this procedure.
> > I
> > take it that it's just a matter of demoting the NT 4.0 BDC's, and Server
> > 2003
> > will take over from there? I.e., in effect they will say "Okay, the NT 4.0
> > BDC's are gone so we're going to have to run in Native Mode henceforth"?
> >
> > Side question: when in Native Mode I assume the 2003 DC's will replicate
> > only amongst themselves?
>
> Native mode cannot support NT 4.0 BDCs you will need to remove them from the
> domain prior to moving the domain functionality level. (There is no demote
> of an NT 4.0 BDC - you just remove it from the domain and scrap it
> (reinstall a new OS))
>
> Once they are removed from the domain just switch modes. This change in
> mode is documented in the Help and Support of your Server 2003 system.
> Just search for raise domain
>
> Yes the raising is done on one DC and all of the others will no once
> replication has occurred (you do not have to do anything)
>
> --
>
> Regards,
>
> Mike
> --
> Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]
>
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> rights
>
> Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
> newsgroups
>
> "GLT" <GLT@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:E9F4459C-D2E7-4D46-B1D7-2278517EE2E0@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > We currently are running Server 2003 in Mixed Mode, Integrated AD. We have
> > two Server 2003 DC's and we have two NT 4.0 BDC's. We want to move to
> > Native
> > Mode and I've not been able to find much documentation on this procedure.
> > I
> > take it that it's just a matter of demoting the NT 4.0 BDC's, and Server
> > 2003
> > will take over from there? I.e., in effect they will say "Okay, the NT 4.0
> > BDC's are gone so we're going to have to run in Native Mode henceforth"?
> >
> > Side question: when in Native Mode I assume the 2003 DC's will replicate
> > only amongst themselves?
> >
> > Thank you!
>
>
>
.