Server Upgrade Questions

[neutec]

Hello All,
I have a small network that is currently using a Windows 2003 SBS server for the DC. I would like to purchase a new server running Windows 2003 R2 to replace the SBS server. Is there a easy way to migrate all of the existing AD information to the new Win2003 server and retire the SBS from the domain? I tried to add the new Windows 2003 server to the network and tried to run DCpromo as a secondary DC in the same forest but I got an error about needing to run ADPrep first.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Cafi]

Hello, I have never really worked with SBS but I have heard that you can only have one DC on an SBS network; that is why it will not let you dcpromo another server. I think what you have to do is set up a domain for the new server and use the ADMT to migrate AD. Not a hundred percent sure though...

 

[TechCarnivore]

SBS 2003 can work with other domain controllers but must hold the FSMO roles I believe. This link should help to clarify.

http://msmvps.com/blogs/bradley/archive/2006/04/25/92590.aspx

Also when migrating from SBS I've heard that a swing migration is a good idea...
Try

http://www.sbsmigration.com

for more information.

 

[ShackDaddy]

If the reason you are moving away from SBS is because you need to have more than 75 users, then you may want to look into the Windows SBS Transition Pack, which will convert an SBS server into a Standard server.

If you want to move the AD over to a new server, information in the Swing Technician's Kit at

http://www.sbsmigration.com

will be a big help. You can basically add the R2 server to the SBS doman as an additional DC, then isolate that server, use ADSIEDIT and NDSUTIL to sieze the FSMO roles and remove references to the SBS server. Then you will have your AD Domain on the R2 server.

You might consider following the Swing kit with the intention of actually using the same server-name on the new server, which will take a few extra steps, but will allow you to LEAVE THE CLIENTS UNTOUCHED. Not having to migrate profiles or mess with the client's mapped drives and printers is a really nice option.

ShackDaddy
Shackelford Consulting