installing a new server

[orangepeel]

I have decided to upgrade the main server. The environment consists of three servers. A print/domain server. A file/domain server that was the original or first server installed running dns and dhcp. A application server that runs a small database. The file server will be replaced. Can I install W2K on the new server get dns and dhcp running transfer the data and just shutdown the old server? Do I have to worry about promoting this new server?

 

[Catadmin]

First, what operating system are you running on all three servers? Is it 2000 for all? And are you upgrading the domain server or replacing it? You say you're doing both.

To install 2000 Server on a machine, you have to install as a member server (there are no such things as Backup Domain Controllers anymore) and then run DCPromo from the Start > Run prompt to get the machine set up as a Domain Controller. The way you install 2000 Server depends on whether you are upgrading or doing a clean install and what type of install (attended or unattended) you're doing.

Make sure, before anything else, that you backup your data on the old domain controller (and double check that it is a GOOD backup). If you don't, Murphy will strike and you'll lose EVERYTHING. @=)

Once you've run DCPromo, you can specify that this server become a Domain Controller for an existing domain and add DNS. Install DHCP through Add/Remove Programs. Then, make sure to check your replication properties. The default for replication is 90 minutes. I'd change it to 10 minutes for this particular exercise to make sure you get your new server ready to add it. Then, after the replication finishes, demote the other (assuming this is a clean install on a new machine) server by running DCPromo on it. At that point, you should be able to remove it without freaking out Active Directory. Although, it's never a bad idea to have multiple DCs for load balancing and backup purposes.

Hope this helps.
Catadmin - New to Server Admin, but willing to learn... All help is appreciated.

 

[orangepeel]

I am going to add a new server to the existing domain. The old server will be removed. The old server was the first server in the domain. By doing DCPromo will this transfer the FSMO roles and make the new server the Global Catalog Server?