I have a NT4 domain setup and know I'm not ready for AD but I need to replace the PDC. It's currently running fax server software that is outgrowing the box. We need a new server to replace it and it needs to be Win 2K. Now I have only 1 BDC and 1 PDC. If I take the PDC offline and promote the BDC to a PDC, I only have one DC on this network. Can the Win 2K be a DC on NT4 domain. If so how?
All this being said, can anybody point me to a good Win 2K book that'll help me get educated. I also plan to setup a test lab as well. -----Original Message----- From: Clishe, Jason [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2002 9:21 AM To: NT 2000 Discussions Subject: RE: NT to 2000 migration > -----Original Message----- > From: Holstrom, Don [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > The way I understand it, I cannot upgrade the PDC to Win2K without upgrading the BDC as well. This is incorrect. When you upgrade your PDC to Win2K, you will be upgrading your domain to Active Directory. AD, by default, installs in Mixed Mode, meaning you can have any number of NT4 BDC's. In order to upgrade an NT4 domain to Active Directory, you MUST upgrade the PDC to Win2K first; You physically cannot install Windows 2000 on a BDC if the PDC is running NT4. That being said, you can see that if your assumption was correct than it would be impossible to upgrade an NT4 domain to AD without first removing all BDC's from your environment, or having an administrator sit in front of each BDC and simultaneously upgrade them all. <g> DO NOT upgrade your PDC to Win2K because you need a new print server! No offense, but it sounds like you are not very well versed in Active Directory. AD is not to be taken lightly; you need a very thorough understanding of AD fundamentals such as sites, replication, GPO's, etc...and *especially* DNS. As a consultant, I can't even begin to tell you how many AD cleanup jobs I've done because a client said "Hey, I've got a new Windows 2000 CD. I'll put it in the PDC and upgrade it. I hear Active Directory I supposed to be great." Next thing you know, DC's aren't replicating, the browser service has gone to hell, clients can't authenticate, etc. If you have an immediate need for an additional Win2K print server and the only servers you have left are 2 NT4 DC's, buy a new server. You can get a nice pizza box for under 5 grand. Do not upgrade to AD until you have learned it, installed it in your test lab, and certified all your apps. Don't have a test lab? Get some spare PC's and make one. 200Mhz Pentium classics can serve as Win2K DC's if need be, just make sure they have at least 128 MB RAM. But most importantly, make sure you have discussed this with management and all parties understand and agree upon the business drivers to installing Active Directory. Jason ------ You are subscribed as [email protected] Archives: http://www.swynk.com/sitesearch/search.asp To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
