How to transfer from 4.0 to w2k server

[bmtn]

Hi,

Just bought a new server with w2k server on it, currently running NT 4 domain. How do I transfer all my user accounts, security, and shared files to the new server?

Thanks,

bryant

 

[hewissa]

Do you want to keep the exisiting domain or create a new one? You choice will then impact the stratagies to move/migrate user accounts.

If you plan to keep the domian and use Win2K, then install 2K Server on the PDC. Therefore migrating in place to a 2K domain, while retaining users, policies and the domain structure. This method is pretty streight forward.

The other method is to make a new domain, promoting your new 2K server and using the ADMT to migrate users to the new domain...more work.

So, you need to decide how you want to use the new server before you can move users to it.

Hewissa

MCSE, CCNA, CIW

 

[bmtn]

Hewissa,

Thank you for the suggestion. My existing domain is NT4 with 1 PDC and 1 BDC (which is also exchange and proxy server). What do you think is the best method of doing this upgrade? I also got a new server for exchange 2000.

Thanks,

Kevin

 

[hewissa]

As for the NT - 2K domain, I would install 2K on the PDC. Once complete, add the 2 new servers your getting as member servers. Then dcpromo one of them to act as a 2nd DC in your newly created domain. Let things settle.

Next deal with exchange and the new server. More detailed however. See this link for info on exchange:

http://www.exchangeadmin.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=22161&pg=1&show=626

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/itsolutions/guide/default.asp

Hewissa

MCSE, CCNA, CIW

 

[bmtn]

Hewissa,

If I installed w2k server on my PDC, does it have any affect on my existing exchange 5.5 server (which is also a BDC and proxy server)? since w2k is doing away with PDC and BDC. And if I follow your procedure, Then I am not really creating a new domain am I? I am just upgrading existing PDC to w2k with the same domain and then introduce my 2 new w2k machines to the domain. I want to be able to do the upgrade and if things go wrong I can always fall back to my working servers, so there's no down time. Can I introduce my 2 new w2k server machines to the existing domain as member server then do the upgrade that way? Any suggestion would be truly appreciated.

Thank you,

Bryant

 

[hewissa]

"If I installed w2k server on my PDC, does it have any affect on my existing exchange 5.5 server (which is also a BDC and proxy server)? since w2k is doing away with PDC and BDC." No. In a mixed mode environment in a 2K domain, NT BDC's do exist. Therefore the move to 2K is somewhat transparent. However, make sure all Exchange service packs are installed, prior to the upgrade.

"And if I follow your procedure, Then I am not really creating a new domain am I? I am just upgrading existing PDC to w2k with the same domain and then introduce my 2 new w2k machines to the domain." Correct.

" I want to be able to do the upgrade and if things go wrong I can always fall back to my working servers, so there's no down time" Without introducing a new BDC the only option to "go back" is to promote the exchange BDC to PDC should the upgrade fail.

"Can I introduce my 2 new w2k server machines to the existing domain as member server then do the upgrade that way?" Yes. 2K can ONLY exist as member servers on an NT domain. Once the PDC has been promoted, then you can promote the 2K member servers. Promoting them prior to the PDC upgrade will prompt for a new domain.

Good Luck.

Hewissa

MCSE, CCNA, CIW

 

[bmtn]

Hewissa,

Thank you very much for your helps.

Regards,

Bryant

 

[Seaspray0]

"If I installed w2k server on my PDC, does it have any affect on my existing exchange 5.5 server (which is also a BDC and proxy server)? "

Here's a nice tip for falling back in a hurry. Remove the BDC from the network before promoting the PDC to 2k. If things go bad, you can shut down the upgraded PDC and bring the BDC back online (which will promote itself to PDC) and hold the load till you figure out what went wrong or restore the PDC from backup and try another night. Microsoft recomends removing a BDC from the network for this reason.

 

[bmtn]

Seaspray0,

If I remove the BDC fr. network while doing the upgrade, I would lose my mail and proxy server right. And If I have to promote the BDC to PDC then what affect does it have on my mail and proxy server. By the way, my PDC is also my file server.

Thanks,

Bryant

 

[hewissa]

bmtn,

Sea is correct, however I didn't recommend the removal of the BDC seeing as it is a "mission critical" server, and you wanted little impact to the network. In the event you do need to promote, the PDC status won't have an impact on what is installed. However, the work load due to authentication and such will tax the server. Say the PDC fails and you bring the BDC up to PDC. Restore the damaged (PDC) and bring it online as a BDC. Then promote it to PDC, thus demoting the PDC to BDC and you'll be back to normal.

As in any case, backup everything you need prior to doing major changes to your network.

Hewissa

MCSE, CCNA, CIW

 

[bmtn]

Hewissa,

Do you think it would be easier if I setup my 2 new w2k server machines with a new domain? and can I migrate everything from my existing NT domain to the new w2k domain. This would include all my users account, security settings, and group account. The shared files are easy to copy over. What about my proxy server? do I need to upgrade to a new version or will my current version run on w2k server?

Thanks,

Bryant

 

[hewissa]

bmtn,

Easier? Well that depends...if everything goes well, sure it is easier. If it doesn't then no it's not easier. the same can be said for an in place upgrade.

You have the option to create a new domain. Migrate the users and policies. There is work involved. See this link for info;

http://www.labmice.net/Windows2000/deployment/tools.htm

The proxy, under NT should be fine. I think 2K uses ISA instead of Proxy.

http://www.microsoft.com/isaserver/

Hewissa

MCSE, CCNA, CIW