Windows Forum

Ask something
Discussion Locked

replace nt4 pdc with w2k pdc

0 helpful
5 replies

by Member 26560493

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.
I'm trying to upgrade a computer and wanted to make move to w2k at same time. I am unable to setup the w2k machine as a backup domain controller. Is this possible? From what I've read, it now sounds my easiest approach would be to upgrade my existing nt4 pdc to w2k and then make my new server a backup. Then when I remove the old server I should promote the w2k machine to pdc. Only other alternative I've found is third party software and for one machine, and a small domain, that doesn't seem practical.

5 replies

by spiceman

active directory lets you add any machine to become a domain controller and windows 2000 does allow you to configure the new PC as BDC after installation.

by tony.colgrove

It is not possible for a Win2K server to function as a BDC. You will need to upgrade your existing PDC to Win2K and Active Directory, before you can a new Win2K server run Active Directory. Once the second server is running Active Directory you can then run dcpromo on your upgraded server. This will demote your first system to a member server and automatically move your server roles (PDC Emulator, Schema Master, RID Master, Domain Naming Master, and Infrastruce Master) to the new server. You can then decommision the first server and remove it from the network.
Another thing to keep in mind is DNS. If you install DNS when you upgrade your current PDC, and do plan to decommision that server, you will need to install DNS (most likely onyour second server) and make that your primary DNS server.
Here are the steps I would take to upgrade your domain from NT4 to Win2K. (I am assuming you currently dont have DNS running on your LAN)
1) Install the new server as a member server of your current domain
2) Install DNS on the new server and configure the forward lookup zone
3) Upgrade you PDC to Win2K and Active Directory. When dcpromo looks for DNS point it to the DNS server in step 2.
4) Run dcpromo on the new server.
5) Rundcpromo (to demote AD) on the upgraded PDC
6) Decommision your old PDC, or use it as a Win2K member server

This discussion is closed to new replies.