Newbie question:

I am replacing our old NT4 domain controller. Can I simply set up the new
2003 server with the same domain name, create the same user accounts and
then shut down the old server and bring the new server up on the network?

Will we encounter any issues / problems?

We want to minimize downtime...

Small network - 11 users. Mostly 98 and 2000 workstations right now. Will
be XP all around. We start that process once the server is in place.

Thank you for your input.

I think you want to do an in-place upgrade, that way you don't need to
re-create the accounts, resources, computers etc....

Regards,
/Jimmy
--
Jimmy Andersson, Q Advice AB
Microsoft MVP - Directory Services
---------- www.qadvice.com ----------


"Fredly" <abc@email.com> wrote in message
news:OAp1pbBGFHA.3336@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...

No you can't do that. The users' will not be the same users you had in the
NT domain because the Security Identifiers (SID's) will not be the same.
You have two options:
Install WIndows NT on the new computer and install it as a Backup Domain
Controller. Then promote it to a Primary Domain Controller and then upgrade
in place to Windows 2003 Server.
2. Install Windows 2003 Server on the new computer and use the Microsoft
Active Direcory Migration tool to move the users and computers from one
domain to another.
This is a basic "upgrade". It does not intend to cover all the details of
an upgrade. You will have to move files and other resources as well. You did
not metion in your post wherther you have exchange or web servers as well.

"Fredly" wrote:

Thank you very much for the replies.

Is there a third option like #2 with out the migration tool? I only have 11
users...

Can I install 2003 Server off the network, name the server the same as the
old one, name the domain the same as the old one, and then just replace it?
Will there be issues because we were on an NT domain and then the clients
will login to a 2003 domain?


"Luis Hernandez" <LuisHernandez@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:06BF2E50-31AC-4E61-AE2B-E7135422B341@microsoft.com...

Just 11 users? Then yes there is a third option like #2 with out the
migration tool. Your users will log in with new profiles when they first
sign into the new 2003 server's domain even if it is named the same as you
old NT 4 domain b/c they really are different domains even though the name
is the same they will have different domain security identifiers (SIDs)
under the hood. After you create your new domain on the 2003 server, you
will have to create new accounts for these users in Active Directory Users
and Computers. Then, come into work early the next day and help each user
get their profile back after they log onto the new 2003 server's domain by
conducting the following.

1) User will log on to the domain and create a new profile. Have them log
off.
2) Logon on as an administrator of the local machine.
3) Open My Computer > Properties > Advanced tab > User Profiles button > use
the copy profiles option to copy the local profile of the local account to
the domain account. Log off and back on as the user. Test.

See tip 2240 in the 'Tips & Tricks' at http://www.jsiinc.com

I hope you are not using Exchange or SQL or that will be more work.


--
Todd J Heron, MCSE
Windows Server 2003/2000/NT
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This posting is provided "as is" with no warranties and confers no rights

Which means...either upgrade the existing NT box, or install a new BDC,
promote to PDC and then upgrade to 2003.


--

Paul Williams

http://www.msresource.net/
http://forums.msresource.net/

"Jimmy Andersson [MVP]" <jimmy_NO_SPAM_@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:uxkZMFCGFHA.2824@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
I think you want to do an in-place upgrade, that way you don't need to
re-create the accounts, resources, computers etc....

Regards,
/Jimmy
--
Jimmy Andersson, Q Advice AB
Microsoft MVP - Directory Services
---------- www.qadvice.com ----------


"Fredly" <abc@email.com> wrote in message
news:OAp1pbBGFHA.3336@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...

Hi

Chk the following lnk, lots of info for NT 4.0 in-place upgrades..
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/d...t_overview.asp

Regards
Dee

"Jimmy Andersson [MVP]" wrote:

Absolutely

/Jimmy
--
Jimmy Andersson, Q Advice AB
Microsoft MVP - Directory Services
---------- www.qadvice.com ----------


"ptwilliams" <ptw2001@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:OE3JMVFGFHA.3732@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...

Sometimes, it's best to clarify these things ;-)


--

Paul Williams

http://www.msresource.net/
http://forums.msresource.net/

"Jimmy Andersson [MVP]" <jimmy_NO_SPAM_@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:OjIQzVQGFHA.3928@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
Absolutely

/Jimmy
--
Jimmy Andersson, Q Advice AB
Microsoft MVP - Directory Services
---------- www.qadvice.com ----------


"ptwilliams" <ptw2001@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:OE3JMVFGFHA.3732@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...

Totally agree with ya!

Regards,
/Jimmy
--
Jimmy Andersson, Q Advice AB
Microsoft MVP - Directory Services
---------- www.qadvice.com ----------


"ptwilliams" <ptw2001@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:%23f%23hosQGFHA.444@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...