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NT server upgrade to 2000

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dlh27

MIS
May 22, 2002
3
US
I need to upgrade a NT 4.0 server to 2000. The NT server is a PDC. Can I perform an upgrade to 2000 and make the server just a member server?
 
If you upgrade a PDC to Win2K, it will become a PDC emulator. This is used on 2000 Domains that still have NT clients. Just don't run DC promo on it unless you're completely migrating to a 2000 domain.

 
sorry, have to disagree with Andree,

You most certainly do run DC Promo. If the server you are updating in NT4 is the PDC then he is in fact saying I want to make this a Windows2000 environment. He will need to run DCPROMO to make this a domain controller. To answer dlh27's question, No you cannot make this a member server. If you are updating the PDC it must be a domain controller. Now after doing this he will be in a mixed mode environment where NT4 BDC's can reside. This environment will stay in mixed mode until all his BDC's and Member Servers in his NT4 domain are updated to Windows2000 Domain Controllers or Member servers. Once all servers have been upgraded to Windows2000 then he can switch his mode to Native Mode once there are no more NT4 servers running (Complete Windows2000 Environment). The PDC does need to be a domain controller but the other servers he upgrades can be member servers (although it is good to have at least 2 Domain Controllers for obvious reasons).

Zoey
 
Zoeythecat is almost 100% correct. There is no way you can upgrade the NT 4.0 PDC to W2K without leaving it as domain controller. Regarding switching to native mode from mixed mode, you do not have to wait until your NT4 members servers are upgraded. You simply have to upgrade all your NT4 DC's to W2K, then you can switch to Native Mode (trust me, I've done it numerous times at clients).

Just a quick correction, other than that, Zoey nailed it.
 
rtiv: That's not a MS recommended thing to do, as NT4 can't support things like Universal Groups. Personally, I'd recommend against switching to Native Mode without everything being 2K or later, as there is no "going back" to mixed mode. (So if something breaks, you're in a rut). [auto] MCSE NT4/W2K
 
Dhawthorn,

This is exactly what rtiv said "You simply have to upgrade all your NT4 DC's to W2K, then you can switch to Native Mode " so he is following microsofts recommendatations. Once all NT4 Domain controllers have been upgraded to W2K you can switch to Native mode.

Rtiv,

"There is no way you can upgrade the NT 4.0 PDC to W2K without leaving it as domain controller" I think I alluded to this fact "He will need to run DCPROMO to make this a domain controller". I understand you have to upgrade your NT4 PDC first (This is the very first thing you need to do when upgrading to W2K. You upgrade the PDC first). Once you upgrade all your NT4 BDCS and you have everything upgraded to W2K you can switch to native mode. SOrry if I confused this issue here.
 
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