2003 Domain Functional Level + trusts

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Hi All,
I have been looking desperately trying to find some definitive answers
to our problem, but I never find anything specific.
First, the scenario:
We are in the process of integrating 4 separate networks (their own
domain + forest etc.) into one AD.
We have (I have changed the names for security) b.local, s.local,
m.local and t.local.
b.local is the head office, and all email lives here. Each other
office has its own file/print/AD.

Secondly, What's happening:
1. we are going to redesign the entire networks to one AD. B.local is
going to be the root domain. Other domains will be consolidated as
follows: s.local & m.local go into s.b.local, t.local goes into
b.b.local. both s.b.local and b.b.local are obviously child domains of
b.local.
2. Each Office/network has an EXTERNAL, NON TRANSITIVE trust to
b.local, and b.local has an EXTERNAL NON TRANSITIVE trust to each
office/network.
3. b.local, s.local, m.local and t.local (so ALL) are running 2000
MIXED Domain Functional Level
4. There are NO 2000 servers in any forest/domain/network anymore.

Finally, what's the Question:
Before migrating migrating users, domains etc. should/can we raise the
DFL to Windows 2000 Native or Windows 2003 without breaking/destroying
the trusts?
My understanding is that EXTERNAL Trusts don't have an impact on what
version AD you run, as its external.
My Colleague's and I cannot find a problem, fault with doing this. Are
looking in the wrong spot?
In addition should/can we raise the Forest Functional Level as well?

Many many many thanks in advance.

Lukas

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: windows 2000 mixed to windows 2000 native question
    ... I know forest doesn't equal domain. ... My forest is windows 2000 and domain is windows ... When I raise the domain functional level to windows 2000 native.. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.active_directory)
  • Re: Raising forest/domains to windows 2003 functional level
    ... Different levels of domain functionality and forest functionality are ... If all domain controllers in your domain or forest are running Windows ... Can I raise the level of the ROOT domain since the accounts accessed by ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.active_directory)
  • Re: windows 2000 mixed to windows 2000 native question
    ... My forest is windows 2000 and domain is windows ... > When I raise the domain functional level to windows 2000 native.. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.active_directory)
  • Functional Levels
    ... We have a forest with 2 domains in and the forest level domain. ... Domain Functional: Windows 2000 Native ... Now all servers apart from Domain B are Windows 2003. ... I guess this means i can't raise the forest functional level? ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.active_directory)
  • multiple forests
    ... 2003 for one forest and the other one set to windows 2000. ... functional level has to be set to windows 2003. ... a transitive trust because not both forests is set to windows 2003. ...
    (microsoft.public.sms.admin)