Upgrade existing Windows Server 2003 Standard to Windows Server2008 Enterprise

I need to in-place upgrade our existing Windows Server 2003 Standard edition to Windows Server 2008 Enterprise.

The current server is a Dell PowerEdge 2950 and acts as the PDC, Primary DNS server, is running IIS6.0 with FPSE 2002 for the public web site, and Windows Sharepoint Services 3.0. The server also runs SQL Server 2005 Standard, for SharePoint configuration and content database. The AD is already prepped for Windows Server 2008, currently have another 2008 DC installed within the tree. The server has an internal raid 5 volume for drive C and connects to an EMC iSCSI SAN for the data volume.

Any idea on what kinda glitches will I face during the upgrade process? Suggestions on the best path to perform the upgrade?

Thank You and Have a Nice Day

David Wilkerson
Network Administrator
TSM Corporation

(901)373-0300 x 130

Hello David,

Personal i do not prefer inplace upgrades but that depends i think.

- Make all DNS zones AD integrated and install DNS role on another DC also,
if not done

- make all other DC's Global catalog server, if not done

- move the 5 FSMO roles to another DC before, additional always choose the
newest OS DC for the FSMO roles.

- configure the new PDCEmulator to an external time source and remove it
from the previous one:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../cc738042.aspx

- check replication with repadmin /showrepl and run dcdiag /v, netdiag /v
to check for errors

- backup all databases and data you need for restore if the upgrade fails
or some server roles/applications crash.

- additional a DC should only do it's main work, AD DNS DHCP and not be used
for services like IIS and SQL, performance and security reason(IIS)

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
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In news:,
David Wilkerson <>, posted the following:
> I need to in-place upgrade our existing Windows Server 2003 Standard
> edition to Windows Server 2008 Enterprise.
>
> The current server is a Dell PowerEdge 2950 and acts as the PDC,
> Primary DNS server, is running IIS6.0 with FPSE 2002 for the public
> web site, and Windows Sharepoint Services 3.0. The server also runs
> SQL Server 2005 Standard, for SharePoint configuration and content
> database. The AD is already prepped for Windows Server 2008,
> currently have another 2008 DC installed within the tree. The server
> has an internal raid 5 volume for drive C and connects to an EMC
> iSCSI SAN for the data volume.
>
> Any idea on what kinda glitches will I face during the upgrade
> process? Suggestions on the best path to perform the upgrade?
>
> Thank You and Have a Nice Day
>
> David Wilkerson
> Network Administrator
> TSM Corporation
>
> (901)373-0300 x 130
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> I need to in-place upgrade our existing Windows Server 2003 Standard
> edition to Windows Server 2008 Enterprise.
>
> The current server is a Dell PowerEdge 2950 and acts as the PDC,
> Primary DNS server, is running IIS6.0 with FPSE 2002 for the public
> web site, and Windows Sharepoint Services 3.0. The server also runs
> SQL Server 2005 Standard, for SharePoint configuration and content
> database. The AD is already prepped for Windows Server 2008,
> currently have another 2008 DC installed within the tree. The server
> has an internal raid 5 volume for drive C and connects to an EMC
> iSCSI SAN for the data volume.
>
> Any idea on what kinda glitches will I face during the upgrade
> process? Suggestions on the best path to perform the upgrade?
>
> Thank You and Have a Nice Day
>
> David Wilkerson
> Network Administrator
> TSM Corporation
>
> (901)373-0300 x 130

I agree with Meinolf conerning not upgrading it. Besides, there are too many
things on this box, and it is scary that you are hosting a public website on
a DC. IIS changes drastically under Windows 2008 and you may find some
things just won't work or you have to revamp it, such as the Sharepoint
installation and the SQL installation. Install a fresh server, make it a DC,
and I would recommend to demote the current 2003 to a member server. SQL is
a heavy hitter on resources. Also a note to be aware of, SQL runs better
with write cache on the drives enabled. However a DC disables it by default
to support the AD database, and the setting cannot be enabled on a DC.
Demoting it will allow it to run more efficiently.

--
Ace

This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and
confers no rights.

Ace Fekay, MCSE 2003 & 2000, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCSA Messaging, MCT
Microsoft Certified Trainer


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