Migrating Servers

[bradyb1]

Hi all,

I have been using Windows 2k3 for some time, but in about a month I will be faced with migrating servers - as our current one is out of date.

Can I get some links or pointers on where I can go to find the best way to do this?

Basically, we will be dumping our old Windows 2k3 server and upgrading it with a bigger one and I do not want to really have to format 50 workstations and rejoin them to the domain. The server is a domain controller, DHCP, DNS, Exchange and SAV server.

 

[jfwebber]

When you get the new server join it to the domain. Once joined to the domain, run dcpromo to make it a domain controller. Once that is done, start migrating the various services/applications, dhcp, dns, exchange etc.

I assume that your existing domain controller is the only domain controller in your domain. If that is the case you will want to transfer the FSMO roles to the new domain controller.

Once all of the services/applications have been migrated run dcpromo on the server that was hosting all of the services/applications and then remove it from the domain.

Jim

Jim W MCSE CCNA
Network Manager

 

[Stevehewitt]

All those roles on one server?! Is it a small business server or standard Win2k3?

If the latter, I would install Win2k3 on the new server and promote as a DC.

Domain Controller Promote using DCPROMO to a DC within the same domain. Transfer FSMO roles to the new server.

DNS Should be as simple as installing DNS on the server and AD will do the rest for you!

DHCP To copy the DHCP database do the following:

At command prompt run the following on the OLD server:

netsh dhcp server export C:\dhcp.txt all

Now stop DHCP services on the server (old server!)

On the new server that has DHCP installed, copy the C:\dhcp.txt file from the old server to the root of C on your new server. Type in at command prompt:

netsh dhcp server import C:\dhcp.txt all

Fire up DHCP and make sure it's authorised! Volia.

SAV Server Is that symantec/norton AV? Can't say I know much about that, maybe just a file transfer but best to contact the vendor for that one.

Exchange I would take a look at thread955-770033. Also MS Technet and knowledge base have some good articles.

Once done, do some out of hours testing, and that's it. Turn the old server off, format it and use it to host Counter Strike!

Oh, and you won't even need to touch the client machines! (Isn't Windows great?!)

Good Luck,




Steve.

"They have the internet on computers now!" - Homer Simpson

 

[58sniper]

You can't just turn off the old box.

How to remove the first Exchange Server 2003 computer from the administrative group

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/822931

You also have to remove the GC role, and demote the server.

And, if it's not an SBS box, it's not recommended that you run Exchange on a DC.

Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -

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

 

[djtech2k]

You may also want to consider ghosting the old server to the new one. If the hardware is very different, then you may want to run sysprep afterward to pickup new hardware. I have not done this with dramatically different hardware, but in theory I think it will work.

 

[LWComputingMVP]

To clarify a few points - if it's not SBS, it's NOT recommended that you run Exchange on a DC, HOWEVER, it IS supported and it CAN cripple your install if you change the server to or from a DC once it's got Exchange installed. So if it's installed as a DC AND Exchange Server at this minute, don't remove it through a DCPROMO demotion. It would be better to have a second server, in which case, you would install Exchange on that, properly migrate the mailboxes and services, and then remove exchange from the first server.

 

[bradyb1]

Thanks for all your info, and to clarify, sorry, Exchange is on a different server.

Flavour is windows 2003 stadnard RC2

 

[58sniper]

RC2 or R2? There is a HUGE difference!

Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -

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

 

[bradyb1]

Sorry, R2.

Part of my 'deal' with the company is to take load off the servers, and yes, Exchange will be on its own.