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Migrateing from NT

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9 replies

by natecasp

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We are about to start our migration from Windows NT to 2000. We currently have a PDC and 2 BDCs. I would like to migrate one of the BDCs to 2000 as part of the first phase of the migration. What are the problems and issues I need to keep in mind? Should I upgrade the PDC first? Should I upgrade both the PDC and both BDCs at the same time? What is the best way to upgrade all the domain controllers? I am just looking for some insight from someone who has completed this type of a migration.

9 replies

by dc1

You have to upgrade you PDC first if you want to keep your current domain structure. Before the upgrade synch your PDC and BDC's and then do the upgrade of the PDC.

by natecasp

If I do need to migrate the PDC first. I would rather install Windows 2000 fresh instead of doing an upgrade. Is this possible or do I need to perform an upgrade on the PDC then bring up a BDC and promote it as the new PDC before I can reformat the original PDC? Can I demote the stand in PDC to a BDC or member server when I have the original PDC up and running agian? I know this was not available with NT but though 2000 might offer it.

by rcc

You need to do the PDC first.
Promote one of your BDC's as PDC, upgrade it. Then do a fresh install on the old BDC, and add it to the domain (as a DOMAIN CONTROLLER, as you know, these are peer DC's in W2K).
Bare in mind that you can revert back to the NT 4 domain only if you still have a BDC as NT4. After this, there is NO WAY comming back...
Regards,
Radu

by rcc

Sorry, I meant "Then do a fresh install on the old -P.D.C.-, and add it to the domain"

by natecasp

This is for RCC. Once I have one of our old BDCs converted to a PDC and the old NT PDC upgraded to a Windows 2000 domain controller can I then add it back into the same domain as the NT BDC that was converted to a PDC? If so does this present any problems having an NT 4.0 PDC and a Windows 2000 domain controller present on the same domain. If not why can't I just make a fresh install of 2000 on a new server and add it to the domain as a Windows 2000 domain controller. Then reformat my existing Windows NT PDC and load it fresh with 2000?

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