AD migration from 2000 to 2003

[Vitalix]

Hey guys and gals,

I am in the process of upgrading our Windows 2000 AD to Windows 2003 AD.

right now our Exchange servers are all running on 2003, as well as most other servers. In fact, only 1 of 2 servers we have is running Win2K, and that is our DC. It is also our GC and Schema master.

What I would like to do is upgrade our domian. The box that is our DC is a little slow, so I was thinking of:

1. Create a new box with new hardware and Windows 2003 Server

2. Run adprep on the old 2000 domain controller

3. DCPROMO the 2003 box to the domain, so that it acts as a DC

4. Make some tests, and then shut down the 2000 box.

We are a small biz with about 14 servers, 30 workstations. All workstations on the same subnet, single domain.

Is there anything wrong with I am suggesting? Does the schema and global catalog move when I run DCPROMO, or does the server have to be explicitly told to do that?

Any links that may be useful?

Thanks in advance as always!

[dizzy123]

here are some useful links

Common Mistakes When Upgrading a Windows 2000 Domain To a Windows 2003 Domain http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?...kb;en-us;555040

Hotfixes to install before you run adprep /Forestprep on a Windows 2000 domain controller to prepare the Forest and domains for the addition of Windows Server 2003-based domain controllers http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=331161

How to upgrade Windows 2000 domain controllers to Windows Server 2003 http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=325379

Neat summary

http://www.petri.co.il/windows_2003_adprep.htm

If using exchange 2000 do schema fix for exchange 2003 (just in case u move to exchange 2003)

Make new 2003 DC

Make a it GC

Move FSMO roles (5 fsmo roles)

In Exchange

Move DC that address Address book uses (RUS)

Dcpromo old server out of domain (becomes a member servers)

Read eventvwr, Clean up DNS records if required.

Change all servers and workstations to reflect new DC as DNS server.

Raise domain functional level to 2003 native when 2000 DC's all gone.

Have fun!!

--

Curious? 14 servers? 30 workstations?

what memory these server got?

got over 1gb ram? rem the /3gb switch.