Win 2003 server and Win 2003 server R2 in same domain

[TroelsM]

Hi there
I have
A) one Windows 2003 server with Exchange 2003
and
B) one other Windows 2003 server (file and print)
they are both in the same domain
both hold DNS, AD and so on

the B is on a old server and I am about to take this down and make a new Windows 2003 server on a brand new server.

My question is
Is there any problem with using Windows 2003 Server R2 on this new server.
Is there any problem having Windows 2003 server and Windows 2003 server R2 in the same domain

 

[58sniper]

There's no problem. If the R2 box is going to be a DC, then you're going to need to extend your schema accordingly. If it's not, you're good to go.

Pat Richard, MCSE(2) MCSA:Messaging, CNA(2)
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2821.txt

 

[Davetoo]

To tag onto this subject real fast, is there any reason to not bring all my 2003 servers up to R2? I'm about to migrate to 2003 and already have a few member 2003 servers in the mix and thought I would migrate them all to R2 before I brought in a 2003 R2 DC (already extended the schema using Disc 2 of the R2 set).

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

 

[TroelsM]

58sniper
(Yes the R2 is a DC)

Is there any difference in the schema on a Windows 2003 server and a Windows 2003 server R2

The one DC now is WIndows 2003 server with exchange 2003
and the new will be R2

 

[LWComputingMVP]

Yes, the Schema is different. You must run the ADPREP on the second CD of the R2 set - reference:

http://www.windowsitpro.com/Article/ArticleID/48807/48807.html

 

[58sniper]

lander215 -

You can't just upgrade all servers to R2 without buying R2 for each server. It's not a free upgrade.

But, to answer your question, there are some really nice features in R2 that may make it worth the investment, including a FAR superior ADFS, folder based quotas (instead of just volume based), print management (deploy printers with GPOs), etc.

Pat Richard, MCSE(2) MCSA:Messaging, CNA(2)
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2821.txt

 

[LWComputingMVP]

Actually, that depends on your license. If you have a volume license with Software Assurance, then you can.