migrate from windows server 2003 to windows server 2008R2

Do you know of a white paper or article that discribes the best process to
migrate from windows server 2003 to windows server 2008 R2? I am planning
on replacing my existing server hardware running windows server 2003 and
purchasing a new server running windows server 2008. How do you migrate my
old server settings to a new server 2008 R2? Or is it easier to just start
over from scratch with the new server 2008 R2? I only have 12 or so users and
not a lot of stuff on my current windows server 2003 that is any good.
Thanks

Hello weedfrog,

Is this a domain controller or workgroup server? Which server roles and applications
are installed on it?

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights.
** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm


> Do you know of a white paper or article that discribes the best
> process to migrate from windows server 2003 to windows server 2008 R2?
> I am planning on replacing my existing server hardware running windows
> server 2003 and purchasing a new server running windows server 2008.
> How do you migrate my old server settings to a new server 2008 R2? Or
> is it easier to just start over from scratch with the new server 2008
> R2? I only have 12 or so users and not a lot of stuff on my current
> windows server 2003 that is any good. Thanks
>

It is a domain controller. Just a basic server 2003, I think DNS server is
running
but not correctly configured anyway. As far as applications Quickbooks is
the main
application server is used for.
Thanks,

"Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]" wrote:

> Hello weedfrog,
>
> Is this a domain controller or workgroup server? Which server roles and applications
> are installed on it?
>
> Best regards
>
> Meinolf Weber
> Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
> no rights.
> ** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
> ** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
>
>
> > Do you know of a white paper or article that discribes the best
> > process to migrate from windows server 2003 to windows server 2008 R2?
> > I am planning on replacing my existing server hardware running windows
> > server 2003 and purchasing a new server running windows server 2008.
> > How do you migrate my old server settings to a new server 2008 R2? Or
> > is it easier to just start over from scratch with the new server 2008
> > R2? I only have 12 or so users and not a lot of stuff on my current
> > windows server 2003 that is any good. Thanks
> >
>
>
> .
>

Meinolf,
I did find some of your other posts to similiar question in MIGRATION section.
Looks like a lot of steps to complete migration. If I just start from
scratch, this
process might be a lot easier. And if I do start from scratch and
suggestions?
I would probably use the exact domain name on my new 2008 server. Then
would I even need to change anything on my WindowsXP client computers? I
would setup 2008 server with the exact TCP/IP address. My active directory
seems to be just a list of user names for each Windows XP client. I would
then just add each user into the Active Directory (they would then be able to
logon to the server without rejoining the domain?). Then unplug old 2003
server and plug in new 2008 server. Any suggestions on starting from
scratch process?
Thanks,

"weedfrog" wrote:

> It is a domain controller. Just a basic server 2003, I think DNS server is
> running
> but not correctly configured anyway. As far as applications Quickbooks is
> the main
> application server is used for.
> Thanks,
>
> "Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]" wrote:
>
> > Hello weedfrog,
> >
> > Is this a domain controller or workgroup server? Which server roles and applications
> > are installed on it?
> >
> > Best regards
> >
> > Meinolf Weber
> > Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
> > no rights.
> > ** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
> > ** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
> >
> >
> > > Do you know of a white paper or article that discribes the best
> > > process to migrate from windows server 2003 to windows server 2008 R2?
> > > I am planning on replacing my existing server hardware running windows
> > > server 2003 and purchasing a new server running windows server 2008.
> > > How do you migrate my old server settings to a new server 2008 R2? Or
> > > is it easier to just start over from scratch with the new server 2008
> > > R2? I only have 12 or so users and not a lot of stuff on my current
> > > windows server 2003 that is any good. Thanks
> > >
> >
> >
> > .
> >

Hello weedfrog,

See inline.

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights.
** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm


> Meinolf,
> I did find some of your other posts to similiar question in MIGRATION
> section.
> Looks like a lot of steps to complete migration. If I just start from
> scratch, this
> process might be a lot easier. And if I do start from scratch and
> suggestions?

A new installation is more complex work then upgrading to the new OS.

> I would probably use the exact domain name on my new 2008 server.
> Then
> would I even need to change anything on my WindowsXP client computers?

Yes, they must be rejoined to the new domain, evevn if you use the same name
it will have a complete NEW SID, which requires new creation of user accounts,
policies, etc. Also the users will have new profiles on there local computers
and must reconfigure everything for there settigns.

> I
> would setup 2008 server with the exact TCP/IP address. My active
> directory
> seems to be just a list of user names for each Windows XP client. I
> would
> then just add each user into the Active Directory (they would then be
> able to
> logon to the server without rejoining the domain?).

No, see above why not.

> Then unplug old
> 2003
> server and plug in new 2008 server. Any suggestions on starting from
> scratch process?
> Thanks,
> "weedfrog" wrote:
>
>> It is a domain controller. Just a basic server 2003, I think DNS
>> server is
>> running
>> but not correctly configured anyway. As far as applications
>> Quickbooks is
>> the main
>> application server is used for.
>> Thanks,
>> "Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]" wrote:
>>
>>> Hello weedfrog,
>>>
>>> Is this a domain controller or workgroup server? Which server roles
>>> and applications are installed on it?
>>>
>>> Best regards
>>>
>>> Meinolf Weber
>>> Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
>>> confers
>>> no rights.
>>> ** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
>>> ** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
>>>> Do you know of a white paper or article that discribes the best
>>>> process to migrate from windows server 2003 to windows server 2008
>>>> R2? I am planning on replacing my existing server hardware running
>>>> windows server 2003 and purchasing a new server running windows
>>>> server 2008. How do you migrate my old server settings to a new
>>>> server 2008 R2? Or is it easier to just start over from scratch
>>>> with the new server 2008 R2? I only have 12 or so users and not a
>>>> lot of stuff on my current windows server 2003 that is any good.
>>>> Thanks
>>>>
>>> .
>>>

Hello weedfrog,

What is not correctly configured, please be more specific? DNS is the most
important part that AD runs correct. So describe what kind of zones you are
using and how you named them. Additional post an unedited ipconfig /all from
the DC/DNS server so we can check the settings.

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights.
** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm


> It is a domain controller. Just a basic server 2003, I think DNS
> server is
> running
> but not correctly configured anyway. As far as applications
> Quickbooks is
> the main
> application server is used for.
> Thanks,
> "Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]" wrote:
>
>> Hello weedfrog,
>>
>> Is this a domain controller or workgroup server? Which server roles
>> and applications are installed on it?
>>
>> Best regards
>>
>> Meinolf Weber
>> Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
>> confers
>> no rights.
>> ** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
>> ** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
>>> Do you know of a white paper or article that discribes the best
>>> process to migrate from windows server 2003 to windows server 2008
>>> R2? I am planning on replacing my existing server hardware running
>>> windows server 2003 and purchasing a new server running windows
>>> server 2008. How do you migrate my old server settings to a new
>>> server 2008 R2? Or is it easier to just start over from scratch
>>> with the new server 2008 R2? I only have 12 or so users and not a
>>> lot of stuff on my current windows server 2003 that is any good.
>>> Thanks
>>>
>> .
>>

Meinolf,

Just want to be clear that I am not planning on UPGRADING my windows 2003
server to windows 2008R2. I am planning on purchasing windows server 2008R2
along with new hardware. Thus, do think in my situation it would be better
to MIGRATE or install windows server 2008R2 from scratch? In other posts I
have read it seems that the perfered method is to always install clean from
scratch. Do you agree? And to you have an outline or white paper with
steps to complete when changing from windows server 2003 to windows server
2008R2? This is the information I am looking for. Stuff like, should I use
the same domain name, keep the same IP addresses, and what is the process to
unjoin/rejoin the domain for my Windows XP client PCs? Do you have this
information?
As far as my current DNS errors, I am getting error messages in my event log
every day. I do not have a printout, but I get the same error messages every
day in the event logs. Some DNS configuration issue. Thus, I am not sure I
want to migrate my existing DNS settings to my new server 2008R2. Would you
agree?
And I did not think that moving from windows server 2003 to windows server
2008 would affect my windowsXP PCs local profiles. Can you explain what
needs to be done here? I guess I am thinking I can just install my windows
2008R2 server on new hardware, configure as a Domain Controller, then unplug
my 2003 server and then plug in my server 2008R2. I am sure there will be
issues doing this, would you have a checklist of things to watch out for or
a to do list?

Thanks,
Weedfrog

"Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]" wrote:

> Hello weedfrog,
>
> What is not correctly configured, please be more specific? DNS is the most
> important part that AD runs correct. So describe what kind of zones you are
> using and how you named them. Additional post an unedited ipconfig /all from
> the DC/DNS server so we can check the settings.
>
> Best regards
>
> Meinolf Weber
> Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
> no rights.
> ** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
> ** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
>
>
> > It is a domain controller. Just a basic server 2003, I think DNS
> > server is
> > running
> > but not correctly configured anyway. As far as applications
> > Quickbooks is
> > the main
> > application server is used for.
> > Thanks,
> > "Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]" wrote:
> >
> >> Hello weedfrog,
> >>
> >> Is this a domain controller or workgroup server? Which server roles
> >> and applications are installed on it?
> >>
> >> Best regards
> >>
> >> Meinolf Weber
> >> Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
> >> confers
> >> no rights.
> >> ** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
> >> ** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
> >>> Do you know of a white paper or article that discribes the best
> >>> process to migrate from windows server 2003 to windows server 2008
> >>> R2? I am planning on replacing my existing server hardware running
> >>> windows server 2003 and purchasing a new server running windows
> >>> server 2008. How do you migrate my old server settings to a new
> >>> server 2008 R2? Or is it easier to just start over from scratch
> >>> with the new server 2008 R2? I only have 12 or so users and not a
> >>> lot of stuff on my current windows server 2003 that is any good.
> >>> Thanks
> >>>
> >> .
> >>
>
>
> .
>

Hello weedfrog,

With upgrading i meant the domain not the 2003 server.

Rest of your questions see inline.

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights.
** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm


> Meinolf,
>
> Just want to be clear that I am not planning on UPGRADING my windows
> 2003
> server to windows 2008R2. I am planning on purchasing windows server
> 2008R2
> along with new hardware. Thus, do think in my situation it would be
> better
> to MIGRATE or install windows server 2008R2 from scratch?

Installing the new OS from scratch on the new hardware and adding it as additional
DC to the EXISTING domain is my preferred way.

> In other
> posts I
> have read it seems that the perfered method is to always install clean
> from
> scratch. Do you agree?

Yes.

> And to you have an outline or white paper
> with
> steps to complete when changing from windows server 2003 to windows
> server
> 2008R2?

See my next posting abvout detailed steps to add an additional DC to the
existing domain.

> This is the information I am looking for. Stuff like,
> should I use
> the same domain name, keep the same IP addresses, and what is the
> process to
> unjoin/rejoin the domain for my Windows XP client PCs?

You are mixing a bit the differences between a NEW installed domain with
the same name and keeping all information with an upgrade of the existing
domain. When no need is to rename a domain or to combine multiple domains
into one there is no need to start complete again with adding computers to
the domain, creating users, GPOs etc.

> Do you have
> this
> information?

See the next posting.

> As far as my current DNS errors, I am getting error messages in my
> event log
> every day. I do not have a printout, but I get the same error
> messages every
> day in the event logs. Some DNS configuration issue. Thus, I am not
> sure I
> want to migrate my existing DNS settings to my new server 2008R2.
> Would you
> agree?

Please post the event viewer errors, use the 2paper button on the event properties
on the right down corner and paste it into the posting. It is important BEFORE
adding the new DC to remove DNS errors. There is no problem make the 2008
R2 also DNS server. You should have at least 2 DC/DNS/GC per domain for failover
and redundancy reason.

> And I did not think that moving from windows server 2003 to windows
> server
> 2008 would affect my windowsXP PCs local profiles. Can you explain
> what
> needs to be done here?

If you add the 2008 R2 to the existing domain nothing has to be done with
the local profiles. Will still work.

> I guess I am thinking I can just install my
> windows
> 2008R2 server on new hardware, configure as a Domain Controller, then
> unplug
> my 2003 server and then plug in my server 2008R2.

NO, wrong way, please follow the steps in my next posting how to remove a
DC from the domain. But keep in mind what i said about the minimum DC/DNS/GCs
per domain.

> I am sure there
> will be
> issues doing this, would you have a checklist of things to watch out
> for or
> a to do list?
> Thanks,
> Weedfrog
> "Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]" wrote:
>
>> Hello weedfrog,
>>
>> What is not correctly configured, please be more specific? DNS is the
>> most important part that AD runs correct. So describe what kind of
>> zones you are using and how you named them. Additional post an
>> unedited ipconfig /all from the DC/DNS server so we can check the
>> settings.
>>
>> Best regards
>>
>> Meinolf Weber
>> Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
>> confers
>> no rights.
>> ** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
>> ** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
>>> It is a domain controller. Just a basic server 2003, I think DNS
>>> server is
>>> running
>>> but not correctly configured anyway. As far as applications
>>> Quickbooks is
>>> the main
>>> application server is used for.
>>> Thanks,
>>> "Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]" wrote:
>>>> Hello weedfrog,
>>>>
>>>> Is this a domain controller or workgroup server? Which server roles
>>>> and applications are installed on it?
>>>>
>>>> Best regards
>>>>
>>>> Meinolf Weber
>>>> Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties,
>>>> and
>>>> confers
>>>> no rights.
>>>> ** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
>>>> ** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
>>>>> Do you know of a white paper or article that discribes the best
>>>>> process to migrate from windows server 2003 to windows server 2008
>>>>> R2? I am planning on replacing my existing server hardware running
>>>>> windows server 2003 and purchasing a new server running windows
>>>>> server 2008. How do you migrate my old server settings to a new
>>>>> server 2008 R2? Or is it easier to just start over from scratch
>>>>> with the new server 2008 R2? I only have 12 or so users and not a
>>>>> lot of stuff on my current windows server 2003 that is any good.
>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>
>>>> .
>>>>
>> .
>>

Hello weedfrog,

!!!NEVER START BEFORE HAVING CREATED AND TESTED A BACKUP OF YOUR DATA/MACHINE!!!

- On the old server open DNS management console and check that you are running
Active directory integrated zone (easier for replication, if you have more
then one DNS server)

- run replmon from the run line or repadmin /showreps(only if more then one
DC exist), dcdiag and netdiag from the command prompt on the old machine
to check for errors, if you have some post the complete output from the command
here or solve them first. For this tools you have to install the support\tools\suptools.msi
from the 2000 installation disk.

- run adprep /forestprep and adprep /domainprep and adprep /domainprep /gpprep
and adprep /rodcprep from the 2008 R2 installation disk against the 2000
schema master(forestprep) / infrastructure master(domainprep/rodcprep), with
an account that is member of the Schema/Enterprise/Domain admins, to upgrade
the schema to the new version (44) or 2008 R2 (47), there exist adprep32.exe
(32bit) and adprep.exe (64bit) on the 2008 R2 installation disk

- you can check the schema version with "schupgr" or "dsquery * cn=schema,cn=configuration,dc=domainname,dc=local
-scope base -attr objectVersion" without the quotes in a command prompt

- Install the new machine as a member server in your existing domain

- configure a fixed ip and set the preferred DNS server to the old DNS server
only, think about disabling IPv6 if you are not using it, some known problems
exist with it. Follow (http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/paulb...dows-2008.aspx)
to disable it

- run dcpromo and follow the wizard to add the 2008 server to an existing
domain, make it also Global catalog and DNS server.

- for DNS give the server time for replication, at least 15 minutes. Because
you use Active directory integrated zones it will automatically replicate
the zones to the new server. Open DNS management console to check that they
appear

- if the new machine is domain controller and DNS server run again replmon,
dcdiag on both domain controllers. Netdiag.exe is NOT included within 2008 R2

- Transfer, NOT seize the 5 FSMO roles to the new Domain controller (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324801
applies also for 2008/2008R2), FSMO should always be on the newest OS DC

- you can see in the event viewer (Directory service) that the roles are
transferred, also give it some time

- reconfigure the DNS configuration on your NIC of the 2008 server, preferred
DNS itself, secondary the old one

- if you use DHCP do not forget to reconfigure the scope settings to point
to the new installed DNS server



Demoting the old DC(if needed)

- reconfigure your clients/servers that they not longer point to the old
DC/DNS server on the NIC

- to be sure that everything runs fine, disconnect the old DC from the network
and check with clients and servers the connectivity, logon and also with
one client a restart to see that everything is ok

- then run dcpromo to demote the old DC, if it works fine the machine will
move from the DC's OU to the computers container, where you can delete it
by hand. Can be that you got an error during demoting at the beginning, then
uncheck the Global catalog on that DC and try again

- check the DNS management console, that all entries from the machine are
disappeared or delete them by hand if the machine is off the network for ever

- also you have to start AD sites and services and delete the old servername
under the site, this will not be done during demotion

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights.
** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm


> Meinolf,
>
> Just want to be clear that I am not planning on UPGRADING my windows
> 2003
> server to windows 2008R2. I am planning on purchasing windows server
> 2008R2
> along with new hardware. Thus, do think in my situation it would be
> better
> to MIGRATE or install windows server 2008R2 from scratch? In other
> posts I
> have read it seems that the perfered method is to always install clean
> from
> scratch. Do you agree? And to you have an outline or white paper
> with
> steps to complete when changing from windows server 2003 to windows
> server
> 2008R2? This is the information I am looking for. Stuff like,
> should I use
> the same domain name, keep the same IP addresses, and what is the
> process to
> unjoin/rejoin the domain for my Windows XP client PCs? Do you have
> this
> information?
> As far as my current DNS errors, I am getting error messages in my
> event log
> every day. I do not have a printout, but I get the same error
> messages every
> day in the event logs. Some DNS configuration issue. Thus, I am not
> sure I
> want to migrate my existing DNS settings to my new server 2008R2.
> Would you
> agree?
> And I did not think that moving from windows server 2003 to windows
> server
> 2008 would affect my windowsXP PCs local profiles. Can you explain
> what
> needs to be done here? I guess I am thinking I can just install my
> windows
> 2008R2 server on new hardware, configure as a Domain Controller, then
> unplug
> my 2003 server and then plug in my server 2008R2. I am sure there
> will be
> issues doing this, would you have a checklist of things to watch out
> for or
> a to do list?
> Thanks,
> Weedfrog
> "Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]" wrote:
>
>> Hello weedfrog,
>>
>> What is not correctly configured, please be more specific? DNS is the
>> most important part that AD runs correct. So describe what kind of
>> zones you are using and how you named them. Additional post an
>> unedited ipconfig /all from the DC/DNS server so we can check the
>> settings.
>>
>> Best regards
>>
>> Meinolf Weber
>> Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
>> confers
>> no rights.
>> ** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
>> ** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
>>> It is a domain controller. Just a basic server 2003, I think DNS
>>> server is
>>> running
>>> but not correctly configured anyway. As far as applications
>>> Quickbooks is
>>> the main
>>> application server is used for.
>>> Thanks,
>>> "Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]" wrote:
>>>> Hello weedfrog,
>>>>
>>>> Is this a domain controller or workgroup server? Which server roles
>>>> and applications are installed on it?
>>>>
>>>> Best regards
>>>>
>>>> Meinolf Weber
>>>> Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties,
>>>> and
>>>> confers
>>>> no rights.
>>>> ** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
>>>> ** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
>>>>> Do you know of a white paper or article that discribes the best
>>>>> process to migrate from windows server 2003 to windows server 2008
>>>>> R2? I am planning on replacing my existing server hardware running
>>>>> windows server 2003 and purchasing a new server running windows
>>>>> server 2008. How do you migrate my old server settings to a new
>>>>> server 2008 R2? Or is it easier to just start over from scratch
>>>>> with the new server 2008 R2? I only have 12 or so users and not a
>>>>> lot of stuff on my current windows server 2003 that is any good.
>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>
>>>> .
>>>>
>> .
>>

I'm in the same boat. Did you end up doing the "swing" ? I heard there
were some built in tools you can use?


--
sentinelace