Windows Server

Ron · Guest

Current Environment:
1 NT4 PDC
1 NT4 BDC with Exchange 5.5 server
1 Win2000 Server (member of NT4 domain. There is no w2k AD)
all with the latest SPs.

We'd like to introduce a windows 2003 server in our network. It must also
act as a DC. Since we'll be upgrading our Exchange 5.5 to Exch2k3 somewhere
down the line, there has to be a W2k3 AD. What's the best course of action
to put this new machine (W2k3) in our environment? Can Win2003 AD co-exist
(without any problem) with NT4 domain? Which is better; upgrade or just add
a new w2k3 machine running mixed mode?

Thanks.

Ada Pan [MSFT] · Guest

Hello Ron,

Question 1
=========
1. Install Windows NT Server 4.0 on the new machine which meets the
requirements of Windows 2003. During the installation, specify the options
to make the new computer a backup domain controller.
2. In Server Manager, promote the backup domain controller to a PDC.
3. Make sure that there are no errors in the event logs and that SAM
replication is completing successfully.
4. Synchronize all the backup domain controllers in the domain so that they
are completely up-to-date. Consider taking one of the backup domain
controllers offline to preserve a replica of the Security Accounts Manager
(SAM).
5. Insert the Windows Server 2003 CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive on the PDC.
The Windows Server 2003 Installation Wizard starts.
6. Click Install Windows Server 2003.
7. When the wizard prompts you to either upgrade or create a new
installation, click Upgrade, and then click Next.
8. Accept the license agreement, and then click Next.
9. Type the product installation key, and then click Next.
10. After Setup copies system files and restarts, the rest of the upgrade
process runs automatically.
11. After the upgrade is complete, the server restarts, and then the Active
Directory Installation Wizard starts automatically. In the wizard, specify
the appropriate Active Directory options.

For the documentation about the upgrade, please refer to the following
articles:

326209 How To Upgrade a Windows NT 4.0-Based PDC to a Windows Server
2003-Based
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=326209

Question 2
=========
Yes, it can.

Question 3
=========
It is recommended to use the method in KB326209.

Additional Information
==================

Windows NT Server 4.0 Upgrade Guide
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/partners/isvs/ntmigrate.mspx

Upgrading Your Domain Controllers
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/upgrading/nt4/domain/default.mspx

Tools and Documentation for Upgrading to Windows Server 2003
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/upgrading/nt4/tooldocs/default.ms
px

Hope it helps.

Regards,

Ada Pan

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

Ada, thanks for your reply. I've always thought a new clean install (not an
upgrade from previous versions) is more trouble free. The posting in this
group suggests otherwise. The problem is that new machines fail to run NT4.
I've come across a PowerEdge Dell server which refuses to run NT4 (BSOD on
the first boot after I finished installing NT4). If I can't install NT4 on
the new machine (supposedly for w2k3), how do I setup w2k3 in a mixed mode
environment? Do you know of any good class/training that specifically
discusses migration from NT4 to Win2k3 or running both in a mixed env?

Ada Pan [MSFT] · Guest

Hi Ron,

In your situation, you can build up a new domain on the Windows Server
2003, and then use ADMT to migrate the old nt 4.0 domain to the new 2003 AD
domain.

To do it, please refer to the following links:

Migrating from Windows NT Server 4.0 to Windows Server 2003 (documentation)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e92cf6a0-76f0-4e25-
8de0-19544062a6e6&DisplayLang=en

Support WebCast: Microsoft Windows Server 2003: Upgrading Windows NT 4.0
Domains to Windows Server 2003
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=%2fservicedesks%2fwebcasts%2f
wc031803%2fwcblurb031803.asp

TechNet Webcast: Migrating from Windows NT Server 4.0 to Windows Server
2003 - Level 200
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032240021&Cultur
e=en-US

Hope it helps.

Regards,

Ada Pan

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.
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Ron · Guest

Thanks again for your reply.

Suppose the new machine is capable of running NT4. I plan to do the
following:

- Install NT4 as a BDC on the new shiny machine we just purchased :-) and
patch it with the latest SPs
- Synchronize all domain controllers (sync entire domain)
- Remove new server from the production network
- Promote new server to a PDC in an isolated network (only 1 machine on this
network)
- Upgrade the new machine from NT4 PDC to Win2k3 DC (again, in an isolated
network)

In the above scenario, I'm only working with 1 machine. The idea is to do a
test upgrade (in a test environment) without affecting servers on the
production network. If something goes wrong, I can wipe off the hard disk
and start over. When I'm comfortable with it, I'll do the real deployment on
the production network. Will that work?

Note: I only have 1 NT4 domain.

Ada Pan [MSFT] · Guest

Hello,

Theoretically, this will work. S

As a kind reminder, I would suggest you install DNS WINS on the win2k3 DC,
remove the NT4.0 PDC from your original network, put the win2k3 DC back to
the original network, and then configure the win2k3DC use the same IP as
the old NT4.0 PDC.

Hope it helps.

Regards,

Ada Pan

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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