#116388 - 2004-03-19 04:55 AM
NT4 to AD migration
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Sealeopard
KiX Master
Registered: 2001-04-25
Posts: 11165
Loc: Boston, MA, USA
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Situation: Migration of an NT4 domain to Windows Server 2003 AD consisting of 1 PDC/fileserver, 1 BDC, 3 network printers, 20 computers (mostly WinXP, some Win2K), 8 employees, no roaming profiles. There is no full-time administrator and the person administering the domain is doing at most account management and patching.
I've been asked to perform the migration. Additionally, they will introduce a new server into the network. I have three options:
1) Start a new AD domain from scratch and do not migrate any users
2) Start a new AD domain on the new server and use ADMT to migrate users/computers/printers
3) In-place upgrade of the NT4 PDC to Windows Server 2003 and use new server as second DC, however then the GC will be on the older former NT4 PDC.
I'm also planning to install SUS for patch management.
Anybody got any recommendations regarding this? Would be my first AD migration.
_________________________
There are two types of vessels, submarines and targets.
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#116389 - 2004-03-19 05:36 AM
Re: NT4 to AD migration
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Radimus
Moderator
Registered: 2000-01-06
Posts: 5187
Loc: Tampa, FL
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install NT on the new server, join domain, promote to PDC, unplug the old PDC for backup, then upgrade the new server.
You can use step 2 as well.
considering the small size of the network/domain, and that everything (data/shares/etc) will be migrated, I'd just as soon build the whole thing from scratch
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#116390 - 2004-03-19 07:37 AM
Re: NT4 to AD migration
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Kdyer
KiX Supporter
Registered: 2001-01-03
Posts: 6241
Loc: Tigard, OR
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I would tend to agree with Rad. It is my understanding that building a new server addresses may legacy issues with NT4.
Kent
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#116391 - 2004-03-19 09:00 AM
Re: NT4 to AD migration
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NTDOC
Administrator
Registered: 2000-07-28
Posts: 11628
Loc: CA
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Quote:
There is no full-time administrator
Well, I hope you're around for a lot of question/answer/fixing.
This is not black box technology that just sits in the corner of some closet.
NT 4 (people to call and ask help = 10's of thousands)
2000 AD (people to call and ask help = 1000's )
2003 AD (people to call and ask help = 100's )
(Your mileage may vary) 
With so few employees and given that I'm sure there NT 4 is paid for by now. Why the "need" (fear of no support from MS? ohhh... I'm scared) to upgrade? 2003 is not free, and neither is new hardware if required)
Think most people would agree with the upgrade, but I think I would at least TRY an all new setup myself with such a small user/server group. However, you may not have the time/hardware/etc... to do so in which case it is probably better to do an in-place update.
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#116393 - 2004-03-19 10:46 AM
Re: NT4 to AD migration
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Radimus
Moderator
Registered: 2000-01-06
Posts: 5187
Loc: Tampa, FL
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I just built a 2000 AD server for a 10 client NT4 network.
I built the new server, setup AD (company.network), copied the data to the new server, built new user accounts, and pushed the old server into the street to make a skateboard ramp
The only slightly tricky thing, was setting up DNS and DHCP (from the 2 linky routers they used)
The best thing about the new setup, it the $25.00/hr I get for support calls. My prices are about to go up though...
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#116395 - 2004-03-19 12:41 PM
Re: NT4 to AD migration
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Radimus
Moderator
Registered: 2000-01-06
Posts: 5187
Loc: Tampa, FL
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It has... I haven't gotten around to replacing the site
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#116397 - 2004-03-19 04:13 PM
Re: NT4 to AD migration
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Sealeopard
KiX Master
Registered: 2001-04-25
Posts: 11165
Loc: Boston, MA, USA
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I prefer clean builds as well. However, the option of installing NT4 on the new server, convert to PDc, take offline,... has occurred to me as well. I just can't find any info on how clean the new W2K3 server will be after this in-place upgrade.
I don't hope for many support calls, that's why I want to set it up as simple as possible. right now I'm tending towards ADMT. Though, the in-place upgrade might be faster.
I have a suspicion that whatever I do, the local profiles must be preserved. I'll be meeting with them next week and see what they want.
RAD: You should increase your rates, it feels like below average. :-)
_________________________
There are two types of vessels, submarines and targets.
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#116399 - 2004-03-19 04:26 PM
Re: NT4 to AD migration
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Radimus
Moderator
Registered: 2000-01-06
Posts: 5187
Loc: Tampa, FL
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I know... but it is convenient for spare change... once I get too busy, I'
ll raise my prices
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