How to replace NT PDC with Windows 2000 DC?

[Ganeshan]

Hi Everybody,

There is a NT 4.0 domain, which has just one PDC and no BDCs. I want to install a new Windows 2000 Server and join this domain. Then use dcpromo to convert this server as a Windows 2000 Domain Controller. All the existing user accounts, computer accounts, exchange server email accounts and everything else should work with out any change,and I should be able to take the old pdc out.

What is the right way to do this?

Ganeshan

[Pablo]

Ganeshan,

Before you do anything, install a BDC in order to have a backup copy of the SAM, with all accounts, etc. Then take that BDC offline (unplug from network). That way, if everything fails, you can remove the old PDC, and bring in the BDC, promote it to PDC, and you're back up and running like before.
If you want to transfer the accounts, you must upgrade, not a fresh install. So upgrade the PDC to 2000 server. This will transfer the accounts, and should prompt you to install DNS server (do it), which you NEED for Active Directory.
After the successful PDC-to-2000 upgrade, test it out by going to workstations, and logging on and accessing network resources.
Then you can pat yourself on the back.
Good luck.

Pablo



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Ganeshan at 7/25/01 1:22:33 PM


Hi Everybody,

There is a NT 4.0 domain, which has just one PDC and no BDCs. I want to install a new Windows 2000 Server and join this domain. Then use dcpromo to convert this server as a Windows 2000 Domain Controller. All the existing user accounts, computer accounts, exchange server email accounts and everything else should work with out any change,and I should be able to take the old pdc out.

What is the right way to do this?

Ganeshan

[Ganeshan]

Pablo,

Thanks for the response. Unfortunately, I have to do a clean install on a new server, because, there is lot of junk on the current PDC, and I want to start with a clean slate. Also, the main PDC does not have proper RAID configuration. Is there any solution for this situation?

Ganeshan


------------
Pablo at 7/25/01 1:44:42 PM

Ganeshan,

Before you do anything, install a BDC in order to have a backup copy of the SAM, with all accounts, etc. Then take that BDC offline (unplug from network). That way, if everything fails, you can remove the old PDC, and bring in the BDC, promote it to PDC, and you're back up and running like before.
If you want to transfer the accounts, you must upgrade, not a fresh install. So upgrade the PDC to 2000 server. This will transfer the accounts, and should prompt you to install DNS server (do it), which you NEED for Active Directory.
After the successful PDC-to-2000 upgrade, test it out by going to workstations, and logging on and accessing network resources.
Then you can pat yourself on the back.
Good luck.

Pablo



------------
Ganeshan at 7/25/01 1:22:33 PM


Hi Everybody,

There is a NT 4.0 domain, which has just one PDC and no BDCs. I want to install a new Windows 2000 Server and join this domain. Then use dcpromo to convert this server as a Windows 2000 Domain Controller. All the existing user accounts, computer accounts, exchange server email accounts and everything else should work with out any change,and I should be able to take the old pdc out.

What is the right way to do this?

Ganeshan

[Pablo]

Now that's a little different.
OK, here's what you do:

Install NT 4.0 on a fresh system. Promote the new system to PDC. Now IT has the SAM including all accounts. Unplug the BDC, which is the server you started out with. Upgrade the NT PDC to 2000.
You now have a 2000 server with all your original accounts. And you can do what you want with your old PDC. Install 2000 server on IT too.

That should do the trick.

PABLO

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Ganeshan at 7/25/01 1:58:03 PM

Pablo,

Thanks for the response. Unfortunately, I have to do a clean install on a new server, because, there is lot of junk on the current PDC, and I want to start with a clean slate. Also, the main PDC does not have proper RAID configuration. Is there any solution for this situation?

Ganeshan


------------
Pablo at 7/25/01 1:44:42 PM

Ganeshan,

Before you do anything, install a BDC in order to have a backup copy of the SAM, with all accounts, etc. Then take that BDC offline (unplug from network). That way, if everything fails, you can remove the old PDC, and bring in the BDC, promote it to PDC, and you're back up and running like before.
If you want to transfer the accounts, you must upgrade, not a fresh install. So upgrade the PDC to 2000 server. This will transfer the accounts, and should prompt you to install DNS server (do it), which you NEED for Active Directory.
After the successful PDC-to-2000 upgrade, test it out by going to workstations, and logging on and accessing network resources.
Then you can pat yourself on the back.
Good luck.

Pablo



------------
Ganeshan at 7/25/01 1:22:33 PM


Hi Everybody,

There is a NT 4.0 domain, which has just one PDC and no BDCs. I want to install a new Windows 2000 Server and join this domain. Then use dcpromo to convert this server as a Windows 2000 Domain Controller. All the existing user accounts, computer accounts, exchange server email accounts and everything else should work with out any change,and I should be able to take the old pdc out.

What is the right way to do this?

Ganeshan