Dean,
I'm not quite sure I understand the question
(it may have something to do with it being 1am here)
Running the 2k3 Admin tools on 2000 / XP
machines wont require any mods to the forest schema (and in fact
is the only way you can perform some administrative tasks from XP machines
(like e2k) - grrrrr Microsoft).
That being said, it sounds like you are
performing a selective update of the schema with those properties / objects
to give some additional 2003 'ish features without going all they way and
really 2k3'ing the environment ? Are they simply additional properties to
existing objects (like users, groups, computers), or it it something more
fundamental ?
Sounds like a feasible alternative, provided
that you arent changing underlying properties within objects that may affect
downlevel 2000 clients or DC's (which it sounds like you arent).
Personally, I dont think MS would support you in the slightest if you did
have issues in the 2k environment, and would be tricky to undo as you cant
reverse schema mods in 2k. The only option would be a 'forced' rollup to 2k3
before the client environment is ready for it.
What sort of additional functionality are you
gaining, and is this enough to potentially have an "unsupported" AD in the
eyes of MS ? (I'm not saying for certain they wouldnt support you, but from
personal experience its probable).
My suggestion would be to get a definate yes or
no from MS on the supportability of this change, and if they are happy make
your decision then. The schema isnt written in stone obviously, so is
meant to be changed (within reason), your just modding it in a slightly
*strange* way.
I would certainly be interested in the details
of what changes you are making, and what additional functionality you are
getting. My understanding with things like Multiple Object Edit
is that it is simply additional functionality within the 2k3 Admin tools,
and had nothing really to do with AD.
As to schema mods, I've certainly made several
changes to each schema for directories I've designed to incorporate
additional properties for objects, but havent tried anything like your
doing.
Glenn
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2003 10:19
PM
Subject: [ActiveDir] Seeking some
feedback ... use of 2003 Admin. tools against a non-forest prep'd 2000
only directory ...
I'm seeking
some feedback regarding the use of the new 2003 admin. tools against a
Windows 2000 only directory. I implemented these tools many moons ago on
an internal, production 2000 forest on both XP and Server 2003 clients and
have experienced no significant (insurmountable) issues. Coincidentally
enough, I recently offered this as an alternative *potential*
solution in the public newsgroups for those administering 2000
directories who wish to take advantage of the newer features such as
"Saved queries" and "Multiple object edit" (to name but a few) ... quite
honestly, that's the main reason for soliciting your
feedback.
I'm
considering automating the necessary directory modifications such that
those customers (specifically, one of mine) wishing to use the new
features provided by the uplevel ADMINPAK are able to do so without going
through the convoluted steps necessary to enable certain components
and gaining these features without fully forest prepping their existing
directory (NOTE - doing so is, IMHO, a satisfactory approach but I'm
certain that the myth of "Extending a Windows 2000 schema is a bad, bad
thing" is likely to raise its head .... thus the reasoning behind making
ONLY the necessary directory modifications).
What I'm
looking for are opinions/technical commentary or actual experience of
doing so in production or test environments other than my
own.
I've
exhaustively tested this including proceeding with a full Windows 2003
forest prep in order to ensure that the modifications made to the base
2000 schema were NOT prohibitive to a future 2003 upgrade ... they weren't
(this did require some minor modifications prior to executing the forest
prep though).
Thanks in
advance for your thoughts and/or experiences.
Dean
