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Windows 2003 Server AD Migration

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lokoalex

IS-IT--Management
Sep 25, 2006
10
US
Im currently using 2003 Server Enterprise Edition Evaluation Copy. I just purchased 2003 Standard Edition. Is there any way to get Active Directory from Enterprise Edition to Standard Edition? I already tried to do System State Backup and it made the Standard Edition look like it was the Enterprise Edition Evaluation copy, so I started from scratch. Is there an easy way to keep the same domain name and active directory information without having to create a new domain and new active directory?
 
You need to use a second machine. If you don't have a second machine, get yourself a copy of Virtual Server (Free Download from Microsoft). Install it. Then install another system using the STandard edition. Make it a Domain Controller transfer the roles and global catalog, DNS, DHCP, and any other service you want to transfer to the second machine (or virtual PC). Then reinstall Windows on the Eval machine using the standard edition, FRESH. Then promote it to be a Domain Controller. Transfer the services back to the system and now you have your AD running on Standard. (Just be careful - remember to backup the virtual machine if you use one).
 
Im using 2 separate machines. I want to keep the domain name and active directory. I cant have the same domain name on both servers on the same network. How do I get around that? Also how do I transfer the roles?
 
I think that is the answer I was looking for. Thanks for the help. Ill keep you updated on my progress.
 
While trying to make the second computer a domain controller I get this error message:

The operation failed becuase:

The Active Directory Installation Wizard cannot continue because the rest of the forest is not prepared for installing Windows 2003. Use the Adprep command-lie too o prepare both the foret and the domain. For more information about using the Adprep, see Active Directory Help.

"The version of the Active Directory schema of the source forest is not compatible with the version of Active Directory on this computer."

What now?
 
Don't forget to allow time for full replicaton between the old DC and the new DC before you pull the plug on the first server. You should also demote the first server back to a member server after replication occurs. Then you can wipe the HDD.
 
Enterprise Edition is non-R2 and Standard Edition is R2. Standard Edition is the one that I want to use.
 
It worked. Now all I have to do is wait for replication to occur and demote the other server? Even though its 2 different computer names it should work the same way when I log in correct?
 
Yes... provided your DNS is working and setup properly - DNS is what is primarily used to locate the AD servers.
 
Big problem now. When I go to active directory users and computers and I go to operations master I have an error under RID operations master. This is on the existing Windows 2003 Server Evaluation copy. The copy of 2003 standard edition cannot connect to active directory it says the specified domain could not be contacted.
 
What are the event log errors?

Is your new standard server using the existing eval server as it's ONLY DNS server? Is the Eval server using only itself for DNS?
 
The standard server is using the eval server as the dns server. Should I make the standard server the DNS server?
In event viewer I havent had an error under DNS since 08/15 but today I have plenty here is the first one:

The DNS server has encountered a critical error from the Active Directory. Check that the Active Directory is functioning properly. The extended error debug information (which may be empty) is "". The event data contains the error.

The second one:

The DNS server was unable to complete directory service enumeration of zone .. This DNS server is configured to use information obtained from Active Directory for this zone and is unable to load the zone without it. Check that the Active Directory is functioning properly and repeat enumeration of the zone. The extended error debug information (which may be empty) is "". The event data contains the error.

They all say the same thing.

 
Actually, I didn't mean the DNS Error messages, but rather any error messages and then also the event IDs and sources. Probably won't work, but reboot the eval system and then check the event logs. Also, look over all your services - sort them by startup type. If there are any set to automatic that are NOT started, try to start them. Then try again. And post those that are set to automatic that don't start. (Remember to refresh).
 
The eval system cannot connect with the standard system. I made the standard system a DC yesterday and that worked perfectly fine. But today I made it the GC server. Then I went to active directory users and computers and I changed The RID PDC and Infrastruction under Operations Master to the standard server. After I chage the Operations Masters I could connect to the standard server from the Eval Server. I think I messed up when I changed the settings in Operastions Masters. I tried to set it back to the original domain controller but it wont accept the RID. It accepts all PDC and Infrastruction changes but it wont accept RID change.
 
I am going to try to set up the standard server as the dns server. Hopefully it will recognize the domain. Please advise.
 
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