Question : Windows 2003 - Promote and Demote

Hello,

My domain controller is about ready to die so I setup a new Windows 2003 server. How do make sure the new server has all of the Active Directory accounts before I demote the failing domain controller? What is the easiest and safest way to make the new server the domain controller so that I can work on the other server?

Thanks,
John

Answer : Windows 2003 - Promote and Demote

Hi jhieb,

can be done quite easily with a clean install of the new server

**Note - If introducing a 2003 R2 Server into the network as a DC you will need to run the ADPREP tools from the second cd

\CMPNENTS\R2\ADPREP

you can also download here
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5B73CF03-84DD-480F-98F9-526EC09E9BA8&displaylang=en

this boosts the schema up to cope with R2 functionality


1) Promote your new machine as an additional domain controller in an already existing domain - this will allow AD to replicate to the new server
2) Make sure DNS is AD integrated on your old DC to allow all DNS replications also
3) Transfer the FSMO roles to the new server
http://www.petri.co.il/transferring_fsmo_roles.htm
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;255690
4) Make the new DC a Global Catalog under Sites and Services
5) Deactivate DHCP on the old DC (if used) and recreate the scope on the new DC
6) Run DCDIAG to make sure all is well and replication is fine
7) Demote the old DC if you dont intend to keep it as a backup
8) Recreate Shares etc on the new server
9) Reinstall printers and share them etc....
10)Take over any DHCP roles etc that the old DC held

this will allow you to have the complete AD directory on the new DC and clients will barely be aware of any changes