Upgrade from 2000 to 2003 best method?

[wikken]

I am thinking of upgrading all of my servers from 2000 to 2003. I have 3 domain controllers. One is a very old server that I would like to replace with a new server and 2003. I have 3 terminal servers using load balancing and 2 servers (in a cluster environment) I also have one exchange server.

Is there a specific server I should start with, do I have to do them all at once?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[MarkWT]

Firstly A lot of assumptions:
It it a flat domain model? ie single domain?
There are NO apps running on the DCs? (should not be)
You don't have to keep the same NETBIOS name for the "old" hardware.
DCs have high connectivety
You are are not runing any NT4 WS/Servers & Win95 worrkstations.

I would suggest: (a very broad overview)
Introduce the new HW as a 2003 DC.
Install DNS and the support tools (I make this a habit).
If the installation goes okay wait for a day or so and at the same time run regular "dcdiag /v" and rectify any errors.

Make the new DC a GC and transfer the FSMO roles of the next DC to be upgraded to another DC (if it had any).

Wait (in my experience patience is the key).. then do the same for the third DC.

Then DCPROMO the "old hardware" out of the domain.

Always remember to check the event logs and run regular dcdiags.

(not too much I help about the TS stuff)

 

[wikken]

Firstly A lot of assumptions:
It it a flat domain model? ie single domain?

-Yes single domain

There are NO apps running on the DCs? (should not be)

-previous admin loaded Veritas Backup, the autoloader backup unit is connected to server, Diskeeper, Trend Micro Server Protect, TS licensing server, has RID master, PDC and Infrastructure FSMO roles)

You don't have to keep the same NETBIOS name for the "old" hardware.

-not sure what you mean here...

DCs have high connectivety

-not sure what you mean here

You are are not runing any NT4 WS/Servers & Win95 worrkstations.

-running all WinXP Pro PC's (very few PC's) and thin clients connecting to 3 Load Balanced Terminal servers.

Other two domain controllers are clustered... One is Schema Master and Domain Naming Master.


do I need to run forestprep or anything like that to put a new 2003 DC in the domain??

Thanks for your post.