Mixed Domain 1

[dberg35]

I have a mixed domain for 2000 & 2003 server with the forest level at 2000 server. The 2000 server is very old and looking to retire it or re-purpose it for something else. What would be the best way to make the change?

 

[pagy]

What change? I don't understand what you are asking

Paul
VCP4

https://www.mcpvirtualbusinesscard.com/VBCServer/PaulP/profile

RFC 2795 - The Infinite Monkey Protocol Suite (IMPS)

http://www.faqs.org/rfcs/rfc2795.html

Difficult takes a day, impossible takes a week

 

[dberg35]

Sorry, move the domain to the 2003 server.

 

[pagy]

So do you have a mix of 2000 and 2003 domain controllers at the moment?

Paul
VCP4

https://www.mcpvirtualbusinesscard.com/VBCServer/PaulP/profile

RFC 2795 - The Infinite Monkey Protocol Suite (IMPS)

http://www.faqs.org/rfcs/rfc2795.html

Difficult takes a day, impossible takes a week

 

[dberg35]

Correct and it is a 2000 domain. Like I stated I want to retire or re-purpose the old server. I know I can get the info from MS but as I look at it there is the right way, the wrong way or the MS way. I want the right way to do this.

 

[pagy]

Identify which domain controller holds the FSMO roles

open a command prompt on any DC;

netdom query fsmo

if the roles are on the 2000 DC then transfer them to a 2003 DC;

http://www.petri.co.il/transferring_fsmo_roles.htm

Ensure that 2003 DC is also a global catalog

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

If you are handing out DNS server addresses to your clients via DHCP then adjust that DHCP option - remove the 2000 DC and add the 2003 DC (I'm assuming here you are running AD integrated DNS and that your DCs are running as DNS servers)

At this point I would then either whip the network cable out the back of your 2000 DC or power it off and make sure nothing breaks, ie can people still log in, do you still have DNS working properly.. If you have problems then bring the 2000 DC back up and troubleshoot.

If everything is ok;

Then run dcpromo to demote your 2000 DC back down to a member server and then do whatever you want with it.
After doing this you can then up your forest and domain functional levels to 2003.

Paul
VCP4

https://www.mcpvirtualbusinesscard.com/VBCServer/PaulP/profile

RFC 2795 - The Infinite Monkey Protocol Suite (IMPS)

http://www.faqs.org/rfcs/rfc2795.html

Difficult takes a day, impossible takes a week

 

[58sniper]

And you'll find many posts here about steps to move/replace/upgrade domain controllers. Most have a plethora of informaion that should save you some time.

Pat Richard MVP
Plan for performance, and capacity takes care of itself. Plan for capacity, and suffer poor performance.

http://www.ucblogs.net/blogs/exchange/