Adding a 2k3 DC

[MarkatLMFJ]

Howdy All,

I have an existing 2k3 Standard Ed w/ Exchange which is a DC and a 2k Standard Ed box that I'm wanting to get rid of which is also a DC -- the 2k box has a putzy .5gb of ram, and 9gb total HDD and was upgraded from NT4 before I joined and is taking up more space than its worth and just does WINS resolution aside from whatever it does as a DC.

I have a brand new Win 2k3 standard box that I want to replace it with (and going to use as a print server).

I have the new one up and running and am doing windows updates, service packs, all that good stuff and do not have it joined to the domain yet. When I do to make it a domain controller I assume I run dcpromo ---- I'm going to put WINS on it and since about 80% of my network uses static IP addressing eventually give it the same IP as the box I'm taking away.

Now the question:
- Before I take the old box off the network, do I need to run dcpromo and remove its domain controller role?
- Once I have the 2 windows 2k3 boxes how safe is upgrading the domain functional level?
- Using the windows 2003 domain functional level will not affect the other Windows 2000 server I have on my network (it is not a domain controller)

--Mark

 

[tfg13]

I know markdmac had an awesome write up on this. I'll see if I can't find it.

 

[tfg13]

I couldn't find Mark's write up, but was able to find a couple thread's you might want to check out:

thread931-1108688

thread931-1084316

 

[markdmac]

TFG I think you may have been thinking of this FAQ faq96-4733. I don't think it is really necessary in this case to do a forceful removal, however the discussions in it regarding FSMO roles would certainly apply.

Mark to answer your questions:

- Before I take the old box off the network, do I need to run dcpromo and remove its domain controller role?
[red]Absolutley! I recommend you manually move the FSMO roles and make sure the new DCs are also Global Catalogs first.[/red]
- Once I have the 2 windows 2k3 boxes how safe is upgrading the domain functional level?
[red]Very safe provided you have no legacy DCs[/red]
- Using the windows 2003 domain functional level will not affect the other Windows 2000 server I have on my network (it is not a domain controller)
[red]that is correct. The Domain Functional Level only relates to DCs.[/red]


I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

Check out my scripting solutions at

http://www.thespidersparlor.com/vbscript

 

[MarkatLMFJ]

Is there any good way to get a summary of which servers have what roles on them?

I inherited this network, and I was led to believe that the DC running Windows 2000 had 2 roles on it but when I look at operations masters in AD users & computers I see 3 in there

Domain Naming Operatiosn Master - exchsvr (ad domains & trusts)

Through AD Users & Computers: RID, PDC, Infrastructure is on exchsvr is there too


so despite what I was led to believe it looks like all the roles are on one DC, which means I should be able to demote the other one without a problem.

So I've seen some information regarding the global catalog --- how/where do I determine what srever or servers are managing the global catalog so that I make sure I don't mix with the infastructure mode which from what I've been reading could cause replication problems.

--ML

The Schema role is o

 

[markdmac]

You can run NETDOM QUERY FSMO for a list of the FSMO role holders to verify for sure if you like.

The GCs are listed in DNS so you should be able to find that all in one shot there.

If your Exchange is runnign on a DC (not recommended) then make sure it is a GC.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

Check out my scripting solutions at

http://www.thespidersparlor.com/vbscript

 

[MarkatLMFJ]

thanks for the netdom command --- all 5 are on one server which is a DC which is also my one and only exchange server.

My exchange box has all 5 FSMO roles, is a GC and therefore a DC. The old box I'm getting rid of is just a DC with GC. The new one that I'm putting in (to get rid of the very old one) is just a DC but doesn't have the GC on it.

We have a single domain; what roles should I (if any) transfer to the new server? and should I make it a global catalog.

Thanks everybody for ya'lls help on this

MAL

 

[58sniper]

Make it a GC

How to create or move a Global Catalog in Windows 2000 (applies to 2003 as well)

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313994

Then transfer all of the FSMO roles to it.

How to view and transfer FSMO roles in Windows Server 2003

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324801

not sure why 80% of your network is static IPs. That overly complicates dealing with IP addresses.

Pat Richard, MCSE(2) MCSA:Messaging, CNA(2)

Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2821.txt

 

[MarkatLMFJ]

Thanks 58sniper:

not sure why 80% of your network is static IPs. That overly complicates dealing with IP addresses.

We have 9 sites; 8 stores and 1 corporate office; from what I understand "back in the day" the connection from each store to the corporate office had some type of router that would not pass DHCP through it, 2 years ago they upgraded to cisco's and just never put the helper branches in (just got those done last week by the network consultant guy, although 2 of them aren't working).

THEN while the client computers were windows, the servers were not for our database / sale system --- which was on VMS Alpha box which apparaently had some issue with DHCP. I think that also that not all the clients were windows based and whatever the stuff they had in before didn't support it. I'm working on getting rid of the static IP addressing every place except for things that it makes sense for such as printers, interfaces to other equipment and then when possible I'm trying to use reservations by mac address & DHCP. But all of the computers which have static settings are set to hit a wins server so I need to set it back up; even if its not completly needed.

--MAL

 

[markdmac]

I would suggest leaving the Schema role where it is. MS recommends not moving that role if it can be avoided.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

Check out my scripting solutions at

http://www.thespidersparlor.com/vbscript