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Migrating to a new Domain HELP

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by gussss

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Currently I have a win2000 domain "Domain1" with 150 users and 4 servers A-B-C and D, Server A (my best server) is my PDC (and yes, I know that 2000 does not use PDC/BDC skims) it was originally created with so many problems from the former administrator that we have decided to create a new domain "Domain2". My plan is to take one server at a time reformat/reinstall and reconfigure with the new domain (Domain2), then when this server is ready continue with the next one until everything is ready, my question is: would the order of transfer make any difference, should I Start with server A or server D since my old domain (domain1) still needs to authenticate the users while the repair is being done, remember the trick is to do this as invisible as possible for the user, doing the final switch on a weekend. Also there are so many problems with AD Security, users and permissions that probably I should start a new AD, please any advice will be greatly appreciated on how to do this the easiest way.

9 replies

by tony.colgrove

You can start with any one of the four servers. Make sure you run dcpromo to demote the DC to a member server before reformating it.
This will also transfer any FSMO roles to another DC in the DOMAIN.
So even if you do Server A first the PDC Emulator Role and the other 4 FSMO roles will simply transfer to another server during the de-motion.

by tony.colgrove

I guess the deciding facture is which server is your DNS/DHCP/WINS server? Most likely that the one you will want to do last, since AD will require that DNS server to function. It will require you to most likely create a new DNS server to support the second domain, if you are going to fully reformat/reinstall Win2K.

by tony.colgrove

The only service required for AD is the DNS. Start with B,C, or D. Install Win2K, AD, DNS.
Make your AD, DNS Integrated (this will allow you to replicate your DNS zone to Server A later as a Primary)
Next do the other two.
The final switch would be Server A. You're best bet is over a weekend.
Backup the WINS and DHCP configurations.
See MSKB Q130642 and Q244810 with steps for backingup and restoring WINS and DHCP.
ReInstall the server. Install DNS and AD.
Make your DNS AD Integrated.
If you wish to remove DNS from your first server you are safe in uninstalling it now. But I suggest leaving two DNS servers availabe if you can. Fault-tolerance.
You can also transfer the Server Roles over to Server A once all is back up.
You can either do this through the AD GUI's or user NTDSUTIL to transfer the roles.
Hope this all helps.

by gussss

Thank you Tony, I will deploy this procedure in the next 2 weeks, I'll let you know.

by jack republic

when you preform an upgrade you should start
whith the pdc ,but since you are going to create a new domain it doesnt make any diference which server will be first.but note
that the first dc is the forest root so it should have the best hardware.if server a is the best mechine you shuold transfer the pdc roll to one of your bdc's,
and install win2k on your server a.
than after you finish the instalation and everything is configaure to your satisfation
you install win2k on the other mechinen.
in any case you should take one bdc , synchronize it whith the pdc and take it of line in case something goes wrong .

by gussss

This is exactly my point, the server "A" is my most important machine holding DNS/DHCP/WINS and I want to keep it like that in my new domain cause this is my best machine, if you could please elaborate a little more on how would I do this transfer with out loosing my other domain during the transfer. Thanks

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