We have a Windows 2000 Active Directory network. The domain controller is old. Another individual who was involved in the network at the very beginning had weird settings in DNS and who knows what else. I’m still battling weird things that happen from time to time. Also, I’d like to change the domain name from something.com to something.local. I am purchasing a replacement server and want to migrate to Windows Server 2003.
An associate advised me that the following method would ensure a smooth transition.
1. Acquire the new server and set it up as something.local. Set up active directory. Create a trust relationship between the two domains.
2. Create user accounts and computer accounts in active directory on the new machine/domain. Migrate everyone to the new domain (essentially their log on to their PC will now be user@something.local instead of user@something.com). Because there is a trust relationship, everyone should be able to access their “stuff” on the other servers.
3. Migrate the printers to the new domain.
4. Migrate the other servers to the new domain.
5. All that is left should be the old domain on the old domain controller. It’s hard drive can be wiped away and the machine used for something else.
So. It all sounds easy. Too easy.
Anyone ever done this before? Any advice or warnings you can give me?
