Moving domain from 2000 Server to 2003/2008 1

[robatwork]

Hi,
I am intending to semi-retire an old 2000 server which is serving a domain + DNS+WINS+DHCP to a network of 20 PCs. It is also the file server. I want to move everything over to a new server shortly and keep the old server as a backup.

I have lots of choices - get 2003 server, SBS 2003, wait for longhorn at end of year. The server will need to run SQL Express but this is free I believe. Also there is loads of info out there on microsoft.com and others regarding moving a domain onto a new server, but I would like any info/links on what you guys actually use that is the simplest most reliable procedure.

thanks in advance

Rob

 

[LWComputingMVP]

Longhorn is not due at the end of the year, but rather in the first half of NEXT year. So that may not be an option if you don't want to wait that long.

Otherwise, I'd wait for the next version of SBS - SBS 2008 because that's going to be a very different beast. Specifically, there will be NO UPGRADE PATH from 32 bit SBS 2003 or Server 2003 or 2000 Server to SBS 2008 - SBS 2008 will be 64 bit only. SBS on the whole is a very good value considering what it gives you, but will require some different thinking (SBS should NOT be managed like a regular Windows server. It uses specially configured Wizards to ensure things are done right and when you don't use the wizards, you open many doors to problems - THINKING you know what your doing is one of the biggest problems for inexperienced SBS users.

 

[robatwork]

thanks for the advice lw - I know I did NOT know what I was doing when I originally setup a domain - because I called it companyname.co.uk instead of .local.

This doesn't *appear* to have had too many implications other than

http://www.companyname.co.uk

doesn't work from inside the LAN, obviously, and to be honest I was weighing up whether to change to .local when moving to the new server. On balance it would mean new desktops for everyone I think, and a whole world of pain for me, so I was goign to stick to .co.uk.

Maybe SBS2008 wouldn't even let me choose a .co.uk domain?

Any due date on SBS2008 as this server is creaking, but working....

thanks