Is it ok to use a 2003 server as a BDC for a 2008R2 server?

[edutech4schools]

Is it ok to use a 2003 server as a BDC for a 2008R2 server?

 

I am assuming it is better than nothing but does the 2003 server backup everything that a 2008r2 BDC can?

[3s-gtech]

Yup it'll be absolutely fine, though you may not be able to manage some features, and of course you can't shift the functional level beyond 2003 which is a shame - 2008 brought some improvements.

[glennda]

Yup it'll be absolutely fine, though you may not be able to manage some features, and of course you can't shift the functional level beyond 2003 which is a shame - 2008 brought some improvements.

 

You have the features they just need to be done remotely i.e Group Policy management etc

[edutech4schools]

So if the 2008r2 server goes pop the 2003 bdc will be fine taking over the pdc roles.

[FN-GM]

Yep. There isnt really such thing as a BDC and a primary one they are just domain controlers and they will both do the exact same thing.

 

Big companies have lots of domain controllers, it can be in the hundreds. They will have a mix of OS becuase its just not an option to instantaly upgrade them all at once. With 2 DC's you should be just fine.

 

Long term i would not run 2003 as a production server as 2003 days are numbered. After the support ends you will be vulnerable

[plexer]

Backup domain controllers were in the days of NT4 and a BDC was a read only copy of the PDC something which has made a bit of a return in the form of a RODC or Read Only Domain Controller.

 

Ben

[Norphy]

You can promote Windows 2003 to a domain controller as long as your domain level is at Windows 2003 or below. If you've got a Windows 2008 DC, it's possible that your domain is at Windows 2008 Native, if that's the case you can't do it. To check, open ADUC, right click on your domain and choose "Raise Domain Function Level". That will tell you what level it's at.

 

As others have said, there is no such thing as a BDC any more. AD has used a multi-master domain model since Windows 2000. Assuming your domain is still at Windows 2003 level, you promote your 2003 server to a DC and the 2008 server goes pop, the Windows 2003 server will be able to seize the FSMO roles and you'll be able to continue as normal.