Windows Server

Geoff · Guest

I have a domain with the following servers:
PDC - NT4 Server
BDC - NT4 Server with Exchange Server 5.5
Member Servers - numerous Windows 2000 Server and 1 x Windows 2000 Advanced
Server
Clients - approx 120 in total, mostly Windows 2000 Professional, some
Windows XP Professional, and 3 x Windows NT4 Workstation (but I'm not too
concerned if these work or not)
We already own 140 or so Windows 2000 Server CALS and Echange Server 2000
with 120 CALS, so we are going to replace the NT4 PDC with new hardware
running Windows 2000 Server, then after the network is settled the existing
NT4 BDC hardware will be clean installed with Windows 2000 Server and
Exchange Server 2000 and will replace the existing BDC. The existing BDC
hardware will become redundant.

I have read a lot of messages in this group regarding the options of upgrade
and migration, and I have decided to perform an upgrade, using the following
steps:

1. Configure the new hardware with NT4, make it a BDC in the existing domain
2. Promote this server to PDC, then take the original PDC (now a BDC) offline
3. Upgrade the new PDC to Windows 2000 Server and setup AD
4. Re-create shares on new W2K server, restore data from backup or copy
across network
5. Let network run for 1 - 2 weeks, with the NT4 BDC still running Exchange
Server 5.5
6. Clean install W2K Server on original PDC, install Exchange Server 2000
7. Migrate Exchange Server from 5.5 box to 2000 box

Other than the migration of Exchange Server (which is really a seperate
issue) are there any likely problems in performing the upgrade. I have a copy
of the article titled "How to expand the boot partition during a Windows 2000
upgrade". I am mainly concerned with the existing BDC / Exchange 5.5 server
running in the new W2K AD domain. It would also be nice to be able to do the
W2K upgrade on the new PDC offline - ie promote it to a PDC, disconnect it,
promote the original PDC again and let the network run while I do the W2K
upgrade, but I think this would cause some issues.

Thanks for your input.
Geoff

Rebecca Chen [MSFT] · Guest

Hi Geoff,

Your upgrade plan seems good. However, what is the meaning of step 4? Do
you mean you want to migrate the file server? If the file server is hosted
on the PDC, the permission will be retained after you upgrade to win2k; If
other member server hosts the shares, you can use FSMT to migrate file
server as addressed below:

Try the File Server Migration Toolkit
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/upgrading/nt4/tooldocs/msfsc.mspx

I suggest you read the following article carefully before you upgrade NT to
2k:
Upgrading a domain
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/en/server/help/default.asp?url=/windows
2000/en/server/help/upgrading_a_domain.htm

Upgrading to Windows 2000
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/server/howtobuy/upgrading/default.asp

I am a little unclear about " It would also be nice to be able to do the
W2K upgrade on the new PDC offline - ie promote it to a PDC, disconnect it,
promote the original PDC again and let the network run while I do the W2K
upgrade". I assume the original PDC called P1, BDC called B1, do you mean
you want to promote B1 to PDC and take P1 offline. Then, bring B1 offline
to promote it to be win2k, during promotion period, you bring P1 online? If
so, yes, you can do so. However, I suggest you perform the upgrade process
during non-business time for security reason.

In addition, BDC / Exchange 5.5 server still can run in the new W2K AD
domain.

Further questions, let us get in touch!

Best regards,

Rebecca Chen

MCSE2000 MCDBA CCNA

Microsoft Online Partner Support
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security

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Geoff · Guest

Rebecca,

Thanks for the prompt reply.

The meaning of step 4 is that the current NT4 PDC is also the "main" file
server, and I need to migrate these shared files to the new W2K PDC, as the
current NT4 PDC will be wiped and clean-installed with W2K to become the
Exchange Server, replacing the current NT4 BDC Exchange 5.5 Server. I can use
Arcserve to copy data between servers, retaining permissions.

The bit about doing the W2K upgrade offline is more to allow the new
hardware to be setup as a BDC, promoted to PDC, then removed from the network
while I do the W2K upgrade. In the meantime the network could continue to be
available. This would mean more work can be done during business hours, with
only the data transfer needing to be done after hours.

Thanks,
Geoff

"Rebecca Chen [MSFT]" wrote:

Rebecca Chen [MSFT] · Guest

I see. You can use FSMT as I have mentioned to to migrate file server, or
use xcopy, xcopy command will retain the permission when you copy files
from PDC to BDC.

As the second, yes, you can take the BDC (actaully it is the second PDC)
offline to perform the upgrade process to win2k server. If possible, I
suggest you do the upgrade process during non-business time to minize the
business impact. :)

Best regards,

Rebecca Chen

MCSE2000 MCDBA CCNA

Microsoft Online Partner Support
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security

=====================================================

When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.

=====================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

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