Confirmation of an upgrade plan

From: Len Bonanno (LenBonanno_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 12/14/04 

Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 21:33:01 -0800

I currently have a single NT4.0 domain with 1 PDC and 1 BDC. The PDC is also
a file server. The BDC hardware is not up to spec for 2003 Server so it will
have to be discarded. The PDC can be upgraded however the boot partition is
only 2gb in size. There is probably enough space available to upgrade to 2003
but I'll likely have problems later on. Also as this server is configured
with Raid 5 (hardware) I will need to rebuild the box to create more space.

I'd like to confirm the soundness of the following plan:
1. Do a clean install of 2003 server on a new machine and configure it as a
Domain Controller. This will have a new domain name.
2. Establish a trust between the new domain and the existing NT4.0 domain.
3. Use ADMT to migrate the users, passwords, computers etc to the new domain.
4. Test logging on to the new domain, restore some files and test access
(the new DC will temporarily act as a file server)
5. Disconnect the old PDC and rebuild it with a clean install of 2003 server
and restore all the files (data) so it becomes the file server.

Does this plan sound valid?
I've read some posts where people are installing NT on new boxes and
promoting them to PDC role. Is that necessary or is my plan workable?
Any responses will be appreciated.
Thanks.

Relevant Pages

  • RE: Confirmation of an upgrade plan
    ... I have reckecked the NT 4.0 PDC and found that it has a 4GB system partition ... Is it OK to do an upgrade of that box to Win2003? ... > a file server. ... > (the new DC will temporarily act as a file server) ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.migration)
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    ... be the PDC, does it copy over things like login scripts automatically? ... > Bring in the new server as a NT 4.0 Server staged to be a BDC and then ... > everyone over to ISA off the Proxy 2.0 server. ... >> is also used as a light file server. ...
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  • Re: NT4 to Server 2003 Migration
    ... based on everything you've said here, I would hire an experienced consultant, if only to assist you in the planning stage. ... I would not upgrade your current PDC to 2003. ... it's only 4-8 gig, not nearly large enough for 2003 server with SP1, and future service packs & upgrades. ... BDC 1 - RAS, Print Server, File Storage ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.migration)