How to do a SIMPLE migration from a SIMPLE NT4 fileserver to Server2003? Where to start?

Hello folks! I am migrating my NT4 server &domain to a Windows2003
server.

My setup is VERY SIMPLE, yet all I can find in books and on the web is
instructions for complex setups. It's just overwhelming. If someone here
can point me to a good web resource or write-up about a SIMPLE migration,
for my simple setup, please point me there! Or, if you want, any tips
would be appreciated.

I HAVE:
-1 NT4 SP6a Server - PDC/Fileserver. I have just this ONE server, no
BDC. Does authentication and filesharing only.
-50 client computers and 50 user accounts, all in NT domain.
-DNS servers and IP addresses to use.
-a program which will transfer all user files from old server to new
server (over a USB direct cable), 150 GB of files.

I WANT TO MOVE TO:
-Brand new Dell server, with WindowsServer2003 pre-installed. (all set
up)

I'd like to keep the same domain name, if possible, but I'd also be
willing to change it.

For now, I can do with just 1 Server2003 domain controller; I can add a
second one later. (or is a 2nd one it required right off the bat? Hmmm.)

I have a feeling I can do this simple upgrade in just a few hours.
Something like - copy all user files over to new server, promote new
server to DC, use ActiveDirectoryMigrationTool (or something similar) to
copy over user accounts and file permissions, boom.

But, I just don't know where to start. I don't WANT forests or OUs or
anything right now, just a simple setup.

Anyone have any tips, or pointers to other helpful web places?

Any good pointers, I'll mail you some pizza toppings from my lunch today.
(I have extra)

Thanks...

-Mike mike

 

Just make a GOOD BACKUP and then UPGRADE the NT computer.

If the hardware doesn't support Win2003 (Pentium, memory, disk space,
and MOST OF ALL the BIOS) then there ARE ways to move to different
hardware.

You will find it MUCH more satifying (in most cases) to UPGRADE
the current domain.

Not practical unless you UPGRADE.

You should have two DCs but you can add (or subtract) them later,
once you are on Windows AD domains.

I keep trying to get people to STOP migrating and just upgrade and
most everyone who does that is very happy with the results.

Does your hardware support Win2003? (Probably not.)

If not, blow away the current Win2003 server and install NT as a BDC.

Promote the BDC to PDC -- upgrade the "new PDC" to Win2003.

That pretty much does it. Voila! Win2003 AD Domain with same
name and all permissions INTACT.

You do need to make sure that any older clients (Win9x and NT) have
the latest service packs AND/OR "DSClient Upgrade Installed."

Make sure the clients all point to the internal DNS server SOLELY
(this will probably be the DC but that is not mandatory.)

The old PDC (now a BDC) can hang around as an extra DC or you
can take it offline.

If you keep it the files can stay where they are OR you can migrate
the files with something like "xcopy /s /o...." (o=owner and other security
settings.)

Cool.

 

I would try to upgrade the NT box to 2000 or 2003 then add the new dell
server to that domain. Promote the new server to a DC. wait for all the
settings to replicate. Copy over all the data you need. shutdown the old
computer. redo client mappings or possible change the name of the new server
to the name of the old server.

 

A good way to do it is to scrub the new dell and install NT4 server on
there as a BDC. Then, promote the new machine to PDC. Then upgrade the
new box to server 2003. That will be as seamless as can be.

Another way is to use the Active Directory Migration Tool:
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...1-5849-4707-9817-8c9773c25c6c&DisplayLang= en>

In either case, wait till after you decommission your old NT4 box and then
upgrade your AD to 2003 native mode.

~Jason

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