NT4 Domain to W2K3 AD w Exchange 5.5

[lych]

Hi,

We have an existing NT4 Domain, with an NT4 PDC and 2 x NT4 BDC's.

We are aiming to go to W2K3 AD setup. At this stage we are looking at;

1. Take a BDC out, for backup.
2. Doing an in-place upgrade of the PDC, putting it in mixed mode. This should upgrade all the existing users / groups.
3. Upgrade the remaining BDC, go to a full W2K3 native mode AD.

My question is, we have an Exchange 5.5 box in the domain, which will NOT be going to 2K+ in the immediate future. My understanding is that we need to use ADC to use Exchange 5.5 in the AD environment. Does that mean we lose our exchange box as soon as the PDC is upgraded to a mixed mode AD server, until we can get the ADC going on the exchange box? Are there any potential gotcha's here? Most of the doco I can find is about Exchange 2k+ in AD environments.

 

[markdmac]

I am assuming that the 5.5 server is on a BDC? If so you won't be able to go into native mode until you update that server to at least Windows 2000.

You should check out the Microsoft prescriptive Guidence for Small IT at

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/itsolutions/smbiz/sitsol/LPIntro.mspx

This will give you a step by step guide on how to do your entire conversion.

The Medium IT Guide can be found here:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/itsolutions/smbiz/mits/default.mspx

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[lych]

Hi Mark,

No, the 5.5 server is standalone and not a BDC. SOrry that wasn't clear. I should have said "We currently have an existing NT4 Domain environment, with 1 x PDC , 2 x BDC and a bunch of other servers..."

I will check the documentation links you have provided.

 

[lych]

Sorry, to clarify even further (having re-read what I just wrote), the exchange server is a member server and not a PDC/BDC.

Also, at first glance, the links provided are a greatd esign tool, but dont seem to provide any information on Exchange 5.5. during a Domain -> Active Directory migration.

 

[markdmac]

It is the messaging piece you will want to focus on. Look here:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/itsolutions/smbiz/mits/ms/mit_ms.mspx

This document is designed to migrate you to Exchange 2003, but the first steps for that are to integrate 5.5 with AD. So basically you will stop at half of the document.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark