Upgrade Win2k DC to Win2k3 Question

[Knackster]

Currently my domain has one win2k3 dc which holds all of the rolls and a win2k dc that had ex2k on it. I've moved the exchange server to its own hardware and now I'm running ex2k3 on it.

I'm ready to do an in-place upgrade on the win2k dc. The only thing the dc is used for right now is for file sharing.

Since the server doesn't have any rolls on it and the schema has been upgraded to accept the existing win2k3 dc, do I need to watch out for anything else?

Thanks

Chris
IT Manager
Houston, Texas

 

[Davetoo]

If it's not doing anything as far as being a DC, then why bother upgrading? Demote it, make it a member file server.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

 

[58sniper]

And anything else related has been discussed here ad-nauseum. Please search.

Pat Richard
Microsoft Exchange MVP

 

[Knackster]

Thanks...

I really don't want to demote it as that would only leave me with one dc.

Chris
IT Manager
Houston, Texas

 

[Davetoo]

Couple of things to consider...how old is the equipment? Do you want to replace it anytime soon?

If it were me and I planned on keeping the hardware, I'd demote it, completely rebuild it with W2K3, then promo it back into the domain as a DC.

Otherwise I'd build a new server and promo it in as a DC and demote the old box and remove it.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

 

[Knackster]

I would love to demote it, rebuild it, and repromote it but I don't havethe luxory of time to take the server down that long.

Yes the equipment *should* be replaced but it will run win2k3.

RIght now I'm thinking about virtualising it on a bigger box, taking the server down, rebuilding it from scratch, then putting back online. I think that wil lbe my best best.

Thanks for letting me talk this out. Being a single guy IT department has its drawbacks at times and having someone close to talk about it is one of them.

Chris
IT Manager
Houston, Texas