jfrey

ALR and Sukh, thank you both for the input. In your first post ALR, you mention that we can't raise the domain functional level with 2000 DCs still around. When the 2003 DCs come online, I do plan on demoting the 2000DCs to just plain servers so they can still run their apps while we reorganize our other 2003 server to play host for these apps. Late in the future I'd be moving the Exchange 2003 off the 2000 server and onto a 2003 or newer. One of the new 2003 DCs will carry the heavy roles of DNS/DHCP/FSMO roles, while the other will handle the logins. Do we want to run Exchange on a DC instead of keeping it isolated on its own box/VM? Sukh: When we create the 2003 DC, won't that also give us a 2003 GC?

I'm working on convincing the "powers that be" to order a new server to use as a VM host to run a virtual 2003 to do the domain upgrade. Is the free version of HyperV ok for this? The other option that was tossed around was moving Sharepoint to the SQL Server and then using the former Sharepoint box as the new 2003 DC. Can I expect any impact on the Exchange server in upgrading the domain?

Al, thank you for your response and for taking the time to better understand the scenario I'm dealing with. The long range plan is to get onto a 2012 server platform, but we're not in a position yet to do a blanket replacement of all the equipment, and since the domain is still 2000 we're looking to do a staged upgrade to get to 2012. 1. Are your current DCs Windows Server 2000? - Yes 2. When you say can the existing 2003 servers be used as a DC do you mean leaving them installed as is and doing a DCPromo on it? - Correct. The lingering questions are if we make one of the 2003's a DC or both with one as a backup, will that hose the apps on them now (SQL Server/Sharepoint)? 3. What age are your physical servers? - About 10 years (Yes, they're old) 4. When you say to keep the demoted Server 2000 servers, do you mean not re-installing them? - Correct they would remain on the network running their current apps until we fully migrate them to eventual new servers 5. Do you have licencing restrictions, or is there money in the pot? - We would be dealing with some restrictions on licensing and are looking to take an economical approach to upgrading, if possible.

Hi all! I am working with a Windows 2000 Domain that is to be upgraded to 2003. Once domain is on 2003 we want to put a 2012 member server running SQL 2012 and also keep the 2 demoted Windows 2000 Servers. Current environment: #1 Primary DC: has DHCP and DNS (Schema Master, Domain Naming Master, RID Master and PDC Emulator, Global Catalog) #2 DC: has Printers and Files on it, not worried about these (Infrastructure Master) #3 Windows server 2000 SP4 running Exchange 2003. #4 Windows server 2003 Standard SP2 64bit which runs Sharepoint Services. #5 Windows server 2003 Standard R2 32bit runs SQL 2005 Could either of the existing 2003 servers be used as the new DC, or would it be best to obtain a fresh server as the DC, and possibly setup as a virtual server? Would upgrading the domain have an impact on the 2000 server running Exchange 2003?