moving to AD 2003 question

[garymass]

we had a windows 2000 network, 2 windows 2003 servers as domain controllers
with one an exchange server,and a windows 2003 server that was not a domain
controller, just a member server.

one of the windows 2000 servers was running exchange 2000, and we finally
decided to move to exchange 2003. so we purchased Windows 2003 server and
Exchange 2003.
we did the following steps:
1.. adprep /forestprep from Windows Server 2003 CD on Windows 2000 server
that holds the Schema master FSMO role
2.. adprep /domainprep from Windows Server 2003 CD on Windows 2000 server
holding the PDC Emulator FSMO role
3.. setup /forestprep from the Exchange Server 2003 CD on the Windows 2000
server that holds the Schema master FSMO role
4.. setup /domainprep from the Exchange Server 2003 CD on a Windows 2000 server holding the PDC Emulator role
we installed windows 2003 and exchange 2003 on the new server and exchange 2003 is working fine.

my question is this: since it is not recommended to make the exchange server a domain controller, what steps do I need to go thru to promote the pre-existing windows 2003 server from member server to Domain Controller?

second queston - is this something that has to be done after hours? will it affect the users? require reboot?

 

[SDPT]

ok do you want to have this w2k3 as a DC or just a member server and on it install the one you have the DC have the AD, etc..

once you have a running domain you can install on a member server you exchange 2k3.

it should find the domain, I advise you to run the installation CD of the exchange following the steps that MS recommends for t anormal exchange installation.

I have a few exchange installations on my back and I always did like this.

_________________________________
IBM CP, MCP, (Cientist, partime)

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2761403060074648262gLrhkV?vhost=good-times

 

[garymass]

we already have setup the new windows 2003 server running exchange 2003. it is working as a member server. exchange is working quite well. so we are still on active directory 2000.

The other windows 2003 server is what I want to make a domain controller, so that we can move to active directory 2003.

just trying to figure out if it is as simple as running dcpromo on this other server, or what else we might need to do.

 

[SDPT]

Promote the destination server to DC, make it the schema master.

ensure that exchange can successfully see the 2nd DC AD as the master schema server.

Once everything is fine depromote the2nd DC.

If you only have 2 DC I would live it as DC for some time, it is recommended always to have 2 DCs, of course depending on the number of clients that connect to the DC


_________________________________
IBM CP, MCP, (Cientist, partime)

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2761403060074648262gLrhkV?vhost=good-times

 

[garymass]

thanks for the info.

we do have another DC (win 2000), but it is at another site, connected via T1 line. so I may leave the old 2000 server ad DC at this site since it is the largest of our sites.

 

[58sniper]

so we are still on active directory 2000.

If you have successfully updated the forest and domain using adprep, then your AD is Windows 2003.

Are you talking about moving to Native Mode?

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

 

[garymass]

no, its just that there were issues with the migration, and we actually had a dell tech work for 4 or 5 hours to get our new email server going.

while he was doing that we didnt make either the new exchange server or the pre-existing windows 2003 server a domain controller, so I guess my next question is can we be on active directory 2003 without a 2003 server as domain controller?

if the answer is yes, then I just need to promote the member server 2003 to domain controller.

my confusion would be thinking that we had to have one of the windows 2003 servers acting as domain controller to be using active directory 2003.

 

[58sniper]

2 windows 2003 servers as domain controllers

is that a typo? If not, then

1.. adprep /forestprep from Windows Server 2003 CD on Windows 2000 server
that holds the Schema master FSMO role
2.. adprep /domainprep from Windows Server 2003 CD on Windows 2000 server
holding the PDC Emulator FSMO role

was pointless.

You don't mention whether the 2003 boxes are R2. If they are, then you need to run the adprep commands from the SECOND disk in the 2003 R2 set. NOT THE FIRST.

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

 

[garymass]

oh shoot, I'm sorry, I meant to type that we have two windows 2000 servers as domain controllers, not 2003.

so my question is if I can have 2003 active directory when our domain controllers are still windows 2000.

sorry about that. I was weak from hunger and robert goulet was messing with my stuff.

 

[58sniper]

sorry about that. I was weak from hunger and robert goulet was messing with my stuff.

I love that commercial.

Anyways, best to have 2003 DCs, as some features in Exchange won't work without it. Promote your member server, and transfer the FSMO roles over to it. This is assuming that there are no security related concerns with apps and resources on it being on a DC.

Remember a very important thing: NEVER promote or demote and Exchange box.

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

 

[garymass]

thanks, will do. I have read that the rpc over https will not work without ad 2003, and I am looking forward to playing with that.