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Upgrading NT domain to Active Directory

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7 replies

by mikelazz 2 views

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We will be upgrading our domain from NT to Active Directory. We have installed a new server as a BDC and promoted it to a PDC with the intention of upgrading it to Win2k3. Should we install DHCP, WINS and DNS on this server before upgrading the server? What are the benefits or drawbacks? Thanks.

7 replies

by shawn

Unless you are currently running those services in your existing environment on this server, I would install them during the upgrade. DNS has to be installed during the upgrade anyways, since that's what Active Directory uses as it name resultion service. Unless you have exising information in the DHCP and WINS databases that can't be re-created once the upgrade is complete, I would install the fresh so as not to import any problems that exists with the services and databases in NT 4.0.

by curlergirl

I concur with the first answer. When installing AD, DNS and DHCP will be automatically installed anyway, so there's no need to pre-install them. WINS is not installed by default, but it is always better to rebuild the WINS database when upgrading anyway, since it is prone to corruption over time. A fresh start is always best! Hope this helps!

by m92

Benefits Drawbacks?

Benefits:- AD structure is easier to manage and more scalable than NT4.
Wins: you won't need wins unless you have 9x/ME clients
DNS: do you already have DNS on your network if>>>
Yes- then dont install DNS on this pc
No- Yes you will have to install DNS at some point either when you make it AD server or before.

Drawbacks:- User directories will have to be coppied/tranferred to the new server -can create problems if not done right.

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