Some pointers for setup

[cromertech]

I'm looking at installing server 2008 over the christmas holidays. Just thought it might be a good time to clear out the old server (ie not an upgrade but fresh install)

 

Before I do this though i want to make sure that i can export the users and computers from active directory and also whether if i name the domain the same whether the computer will still connect.

 

If this is not going to be easy I'll just have to bite the bullet and do an upgrade but the current server has so many little things that don't quite work as they should it just annoys me that i won't be able to sort them out on server 2008 either.

[FN-GM]

The best way would be to have a spare box, make it a DC and DNS. Give it a few hours the replicate everything over.

 

Then give the spare box all the FSMO roles & make it a global catalogue

 

Demote you old server

 

wipe it clean and install Server 2008

 

Do a forest prep etc on the old server.

 

Make your server 2008 a DC and DNS

 

Move the FSMO roles to Server 2008 and make it a global catalogue

 

demote your old server and turn it off

 

 

How many DC's do you have?

[joe90bass]

Second FNs suggestion, ideal situation would be to have 2 DCs anyway if possible.

[cromertech]

I have 2 DC's but I'm pretty sure they don't replicate properly as I'm unable to raise the domain level on one so it still runs with win2000 functions even though it is running 2003

 

Just give me a load of nasty errors when I try to do anything domain like with it. It does take away some of the logon pressure from the main server though so it is doing part of it's job. Think I need to reinstall that as well!!

 

I guess thats what you get for being employed after someone who didn't really know their onions. Unfortunately this is a bit of a learning curve for me too as I've onlt ever done vanilla installs before so no exporting or importing of a current setup was needed

[Domino]

I'm fairly sure you can raise the domain functional level without upsetting anything (the only issue being if you still have a 2000 domain controller)

 

I know it was fine for us.