Windows Server

R.T · Guest

Hi Experts,

I have s small office, 1 NT 4 server (with Exchange 5.5) with 7 other PCs.
What is the best way to migrate from NT 4 to Windows 2003 server? What do I
need to prepare?

Thank you very much..

Robert.

Frances [MSFT] · Guest

Hello Robert,

Good to hear from you.

According to your scenario, I suggest that you upgrade to win2k3 domain
since upgrading provides the easiest and lowest-risk migration path.

It is best to have another computer and do a "not in place" upgrade to
achieve your goal.

Since you have Exchange 5.5, and it cannot be installed on win2k3, I
suggest that you post the question in the microsoft.public.exchange.setup
newsgroup since they are the experts in Exchange and will provide the most
accurate information on this issue.

Performing a "not in place" upgrade
======================

1.Install NT 4.0 BDC on the new box.

2.Promote the BDC to the PDC, which demotes the PDC to a BDC.

3.Do a full backup of the former PDC and remove it from the network.

4.Upgrade the new PDC to Windows Server 2003. If you want to expand the
boot partition, please refer to the following KB:

325857 How To Expand the Boot Partition During a Windows Server 2003 Upgrade
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=325857

5.Use the Windows Server 2003 Active Directory wizard to turn on the
Active Directory service. The Active Directory service imports the existing
user accounts, groups, and other settings from the PDC.

6.Run your new Windows Server 2003 domain controller with Active Directory
for a test period.

7.If desired you can do a clean installation of Windows Server 2003 on the
former PDC, and bring it online as an Active Directory domain controller.

8.Transfer all Flexible Single-Master Operation (FSMO) roles to the new
Windows Server 2003 domain controller.

9.Verify all directory information has replicated.

10.Demote the first domain controller to a member server, and remove from
the domain.

Here is some more information in the following articles:

Upgrading from windows NT Server 4.0 to windows2003
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/whyupgrade/nt4/default
..mspx

Upgrading from Windows NT Server 4.0 to Windows Server 2003
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/whyupgrade/nt4/nt4tows
03-2.mspx

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

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

Hope this helps. If you have any further questions don't hesitate to get in
touch!

Best regards,

Frances He

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

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Jimmy Andersson [MVP] · Guest

You basically have two choices, upgrade existing PDC or create a new
forest/domain and migrate.
Depending what kind of resources you have in terms of HW etc, and the health
of your existing domain. Both above paths is valid.

Regards,
/Jimmy
--
Jimmy Andersson, Q Advice AB
Microsoft MVP - Directory Services
---------- www.qadvice.com ----------

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