Adding a 2008 R2 DC to a 2003 R2 domain

[Maxell]

I am due to upgrade our system from server 2003 to 2008 tomorrow.

 

We have been running with two 2003 DC's now for many years, but as we are looking to move to Windows 7 workstations, we are belatedly making to jump.

 

I understand that before we can join a 2008 DC we need to update the schema, but this is where my worries lie. About a year ago we were lucky enough to have an Exchange 2010 server installed for us, and when querying the current 2003 DC for the schema version, it shows version 47 (the 2008 R2 version I think). I assume this has been upgraded as part of the Exchange install.

 

With this in mind, do you think I can just dcpromo the 2008 server and job done, or do I need to update the schema again first?

[sukh]

If the schema has already been updated you don't need to extend again.

[sted]

you need a server 08r2 dvd. Put in current 03 box

 

open up a cmd prompt and navigate to support adprep

 

depending if your 03 box is 32 or 64 run adprep32/adprep the switches are iirc and you might have to run them the other way round (cant off the top of my head remember if you run forestprep 1st or last but it wont let you do it the wrong way round. Also if you want a read only domain contoller you need adprep /rodcprep iirc

 

adprep /domainprep /gpprep

adprep /forestprep

 

just checked the 08r2 box here and version = 47

Edited June 29, 2012 by sted

[Maxell]

So as our schema is already version 47, we could just run dcpromo on the 2008 server without running adprep first?

 

.....or will running adprep add extra features needed for server 2008 DC's over Exchange 2010??

[sted]

id say as long as schema is v47 you chould be ok but ive never tried it dont have to deal with exchange

[Michael]

If the schema is @ 47, you're good to go.

 

You can check by open up regedit:

 

HKLM\system\CurrentControlSet\services\NTDS\Parameters

[Maxell]

Well, on the current 2003 R2 PDC, in that reg key we have:

 

Schema Version = 47

System Schema Version = 31

 

????

[Michael]

I've just checked on a 2008 R2 DC and they both read 47 on my server.

[Maxell]

Thanks for checking, I suppose that would make some sense. Think I'll try a dcpromo and see if it complains - I guess it would just not carry out the dcpromo if the schema isn't as it needs.

[sukh]

So as our schema is already version 47, we could just run dcpromo on the 2008 server without running adprep first?

 

.....or will running adprep add extra features needed for server 2008 DC's over Exchange 2010??

 

Wont effect Exch.

[Maxell]

Thanks for all advice, dcpromo seems to have gone well.