Preparing Server 2003 domain for Server 2008R2 domain controller.

[TheBDB]

I am trying to add a new server running 2008R2 to my existing domain as a new domain controller. My existing domain is run off 2003. I was reading this http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc754670(WS.10).aspx and it says to identify the domain infrastructure operations manager. The server that WAS the operations manager recently crashed, so as of now we only have 1 DC, which is also the GC. If I attempt to transfer the operations manager role to my only DC, it says this is not recommended because it is the GC, do I want to force the transfer.

My question is, do I need to force the transfer so I can have a functioning operations manager and can add my new server?

I have one other server that is running Exchange but is not a DC, should I make this the operations manager so it isn't the same as the GC?

 

[stash]

You need to do a metadata cleanup to remove the old server from AD and then seize the infrastructure role to the remaining domain controller.

Having the infrastructure master on a GC is not a problem if all of the DCs in the domain are GCs.

Metadata cleanup: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/216498

 

[TheBDB]

Thanks, that is really helpful. I did what it says, but the old server is still showing up in Active Directory Users and Computers under domain controllers. Should I delete it out of there?

 

[stash]

If the metadata cleanup steps were successful and that server is really gone, then yes you should be able to delete that account.

 

[TheBDB]

I really appreciate the help stash! I've got the new server up as a domain controller and DNS server. I still need to configure DHCP on it, but is there anything else I need to do? Is there anything I can do to put the majority of the workload on the new fast server, basically just leaving the other one as an in place backup?

 

[RebateMonger]

What version of Exchange Server are you running?
Where are your shared files stored?
What other applications do you run on your servers?

 

[TheBDB]

We are running Exchange 2003, we have 2010 but that won't be installed until next month when we get another server in.
Right now our shared files are on an external USB drive, they will be moved to the new server soon.
Other than that we run a website that I will have to migrate over eventually. I also tried to install Rosetta Stone server today but it gave me an error that Windows Firewall couldn't create an exception or something. I'm not sure what is going on there. We don't do much else.

 

[RebateMonger]

If you don't mind, I'm curious how many Users you have.

And is the new (not yet arrived) server also Server 2008 R2?

 

[TheBDB]

We have about 20 users. About 50GB of shared data and 10GB of email.

Yes the plan is to get another new server next month and install Server 2008 R2 and Exchange 2010, migrate over Exchange, then retire our 2 old machines.

 

[phoenix79]

Did you set up the virtual servers as suggested in the other thread? If so then get DHCP running on the DC and move all 5 FSMO roles to it then leave it alone. The only other thing I would consider putting on the server is the file share.

The Rosetta Stone firewall exception you may have to do manually, the firewall is very different between 2003 and 2008R2.

I still recommend putting Rosetta Stone and the website on a second virtual server on the physical machine you just bought.

As for Exchange, I have no experience so listen to everybody else.