RE: Confirmation of an upgrade plan

From: Len Bonanno (LenBonanno_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 12/20/04 

Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 15:43:03 -0800

Hi Bob,

Thanks for your response. I don't want to keep the old domain name but I
have another question.
I have reckecked the NT 4.0 PDC and found that it has a 4GB system partition
which I think is big enough for Win2003.
Is it OK to do an upgrade of that box to Win2003?
I have already configured AD on a new machine and configured it as a DC. If
I upgrade the old NT 4.0 PDC can I change the domain name (to the new domain
name) during the upgrade?

I look forward to your response.

Regards
Len

"Bob Qin [MSFT]" wrote:

> Hello,
>
> Thanks for your posting here.
>
> I think your plan is valid.
>
> If you would like to keep the original domain name, then you can install NT
> BDC on the new box first, then promote it to PDC and upgrade it to Windows
> Server 2003. In general, we call this method as In-Place upgrade domain.
>
> Here are some documents may be helpful to your migration scenario.
>
> Domain Migration Cookbook
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/prodtechn
> ol/windows2000serv/deploy/cookbook/cookintr.asp
>
> Restructuring Windows NT 4.0 Domains to an Active Directory Forest
> http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/WindowsServ/2003/all/deploy
> guide/en-us/dssbg_rent_overview.asp
>
> Wish it helps!
>
> Regards,
> Bob Qin
> Microsoft Online Partner Support
>
> Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
>
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> --------------------
> From: "=?Utf-8?B?TGVuIEJvbmFubm8=?="
> <LenBonanno@discussions.microsoft.com>
> Subject: Confirmation of an upgrade plan
> Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 21:33:01 -0800
> Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windows.server.migration
>
> 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: NT4.0 to 2003
    ... I'd give up on the idea of installing NT on the new server unless ... Promote it to the PDC ... Upgrade the temp PDC to Server 2003 and have it be the first AD Domain ... Assuming you go the round about way I'm suggesting you won't be installing ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.migration)
  • Re: Migrating a NT4 Domain into an Active Directory Domain
    ... That being said you can build a new NT 4 BDC and switch it to being the PDC. ... Then upgrade it ... of hardware and in need of a 'transitional' and temporary server. ... > upgrade it to the NT Domains PDC and then upgrade it to Windows 2003 DC? ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.active_directory)
  • Re: Windows NT 4.0 BDC Upgrade
    ... >>Microsoft MVP - Windows NT Server ... >>> I am guessing that during the w2k upgrade it logs ... >>> or pdc. ... >>> make the computer account on the DC. ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.active_directory)
  • Re: NT 4.0 to windows 2003 AD in place upgrade.
    ... I believe you will need Server ... Manager to make it the PDC. ... upgrade the OS and go with the rest of the steps ... Floppy I was able to install them during the OS install. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.migration)
  • RE: 2 x DC, 2 sites and NT4 servers same domain HELP
    ... I understand you want to upgrade NT PDC and BDC to 2k3. ... Migrating Windows NT Server 4.0 Domains to Windows Server 2003 Active ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.migration)