Join a Server 2003 R2 to a SBS 2003 (non-R2) Domain 1

[pmore628]

Hey Guys,
I have had a Windows 2003 Small Business Server running AD and it has been solid now for a couple of years. I just purchased a new Dell Power Edge 2900 running Windows 2003 Server R2. I have tried to join the domain and have had no luck. This is what I have done so far.

1.) I ran adprep.exe /forestprep & it came back and said the forest has already been updated.
2.) I ran adprep.exe /domainprep & it came back and said the forest has already been updated.
3.) Tried running dcpromo and it failed saying to run adprep

Has anyone had any experience with this? Any direction would be appreciated.

Thanks
Pat

 

[Roadki11]

Did you run domainprep forestprep from the 2nd cd of the R2 media on the sbs box?



RoadKi11

"This apparent fear reaction is typical, rather than try to solve technical problems technically, policy solutions are often chosen." - Fred Cohen

 

[pmore628]

No I didn't... Is that my problem? lol

 

[pmore628]

Also my SBS box isnt R2... The new server is windows server 2003 R2.Not sure if that was what you were thinking.

Thanks

 

[mrdenny]

If all you are trying to do is add the new Windows 2003 R2 server as a member server then you shouldn't need to domainprep and forestprep the SBS machine.

Is this a member server, or are you trying to make it a domain controller?

What's the error message that you are getting?

Denny
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[pmore628]

I was trying to make it a domain controller. I need to use it for an IAS server, and SQL.

The error says to rub adprep because the schema isnt the same or something.

 

[Roadki11]

do as i stated in my first post and you will be fine.



RoadKi11

"This apparent fear reaction is typical, rather than try to solve technical problems technically, policy solutions are often chosen." - Fred Cohen

 

[pmore628]

"do as i stated in my first post and you will be fine"

I will try it in the morning and post results - Thank you

 

[Roadki11]

I should point out mrdenny is right, that server doesnt need to be a domain controller to run ISA or SQL, could just make it a member server and you wouldnt need to update the schema on the SBS box. But... its always nice to have a 2nd domain controller just in case the first one fails. I would also like to point out ive never heard of or seen a 2k3 standard server seize the FSMO roles from an SBS domain controller but i also have no reason to believe it poses a problem. Also bear in mind the SBS box must have all FSMO roles and it can be the only SBS domain controller in the domain.



RoadKi11

"This apparent fear reaction is typical, rather than try to solve technical problems technically, policy solutions are often chosen." - Fred Cohen

 

[pmore628]

I ran adprep from the 2003 Server disc on the SBS box and still had no luck. It gave me the same errors saying everything has already been updated and dcpromo failed as before saying the schema isnt the same...

Never had this issue with regular 2003 server before...

Any other suggestions?

Thanks guys

 

[Roadki11]

Verify your schema version on the SBS box for me, follow these instructions:

You can verify the operating system support level of the schema by looking at the value of the Schema Version registry subkey on a domain controller. You can find this subkey in the following location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\NTDS\Parameters

Look for Schema Version.

• 13=Microsoft Windows 2000
• 30=Original release version of Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1)
• 31=Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2


Are you positive you are using cd 2 from the R2 media to run your adpreps?



RoadKi11

"This apparent fear reaction is typical, rather than try to solve technical problems technically, policy solutions are often chosen." - Fred Cohen

 

[58sniper]

I ran adprep from the 2003 Server disc

from disk TWO, correct? Running it from disk one will yield the results you received. It only works if you run it from disk TWO.

Pat Richard
Microsoft Exchange MVP

 

[pmore628]

Are you positive you are using cd 2 from the R2 media to run your adpreps?"

So you when you say CD2 you dont mean CD1? LMAO - Doh

Mission accomplished - That was the key CD2

Road Ki11 - you are the man

Thank you very much for your help as well as Mrdenny

 

[Roadki11]

You are welcome, glad you got it worked out.



RoadKi11

"This apparent fear reaction is typical, rather than try to solve technical problems technically, policy solutions are often chosen." - Fred Cohen

 

[beckerben]

pmore, I'm basically in the same boat as you. i have SBS 2003 (non R2) and am trying to add a member server as a domain controller to eventualy replace the SBS server, but i want it on the domain and as a domain controller for the time being. The new machine is a poweredge 2900 with windows 2003 enterprise r2. The machine is a member server on the SBS domain already, and I used dcpromo and I get this message when it starts running:

The operation failed because the active directory installation wizard cannot continue because the forest is not prepared for installing windows server 2003. Use the adprep command-line tool to prepare both the forest and the domain. For more information about using the adprep, see active directory help. The version of the active directory schema of the source forest is not compatible with the version of active directory on this computer.

I see notes here about using the adprep command on the second CD, but i'm confused what commands to run and in what sequence. I'm also concerned that if I do this, is it going to screw up or modify the small business server? I still want it to act as the primary domain controller for at least two more weeks until I can offload exchange and some other functions.

I've been following this article for this migration which has been very helpful, but it doesn't cover R2...any isnights are greatly appreciated!

http://www.msexchange.org/tutorials...ness-Server-2003-Exchange-Standard-Part1.html

 

[pmore628]

OK, Just put the 2nd CD of the 2003 Sever R2 (that came with PWR EDGE 2900) in your SBS machine and open a CMD prompt and navigate to adprep.exe on the 2nd CD and run forest prep then run domain prep. This will update the schema on the SBS to allow the 2003 server r2 to run dcpromo and get promoted to a domain controller successfully.
I would leave SBS the primary domain controller until you are ready to move it out. I heard it can be difficult to get then to play nice.

Not exactly sure on what part of AD need to be moved over to your new box or how to complete your move...

Maybe someone here can chime in???

 

[beckerben]

Sounds good, I will do this in a test environment and report back how if things go south. If I have another windows server 2003 standard edition (Non R2) that is a domain controller on my small business domain, do I also need to run these commands on this machine or just the SBS which has the FSMO role?

 

[beckerben]

Sounds good, I will do this in a test environment and report back if things go south. If I have another windows server 2003 standard edition (Non R2) that is a domain controller on my small business domain, do I also need to run these commands on this machine or just the SBS which has the FSMO role?

 

[pmore628]

My gut says no... But I really don't know to be honest.

 

[Roadki11]

when working with sbs you will only need to run the adpreps on the sbs server as it must hold all domain roles.



RoadKi11

"This apparent fear reaction is typical, rather than try to solve technical problems technically, policy solutions are often chosen." - Fred Cohen