Upgrading a Windows NT Domain to Windows 2000 Active Directory

[alocurto]

I have read up on this on microsofts site and on some help sites. I wanted to know if anyone here has successfully upgraded from NT 4.0 Server SP6a to Win2k Server on their Primary Domain Controller. I have a backup NT 4.0 PDC online already and the Primary and Secondary are in sync.

From what I have gathered it would be easier (But I feel riskier) to upgade the PDC from Win NT 4 right to 2000 so that all the websites and permissions would be maintained. However, if this fails it would not be fun. Do you think it is better to build another PDC with a clean install of Windows 2000 Server and transfer all the info over? (This would take more time but maybe a safer solution)

Of course I have everything backed up but I am going to be looking to complete this in one shot and have minimal downtime of the PDC.

Any input from those who have done this before would be great.

-alocurto

 

[NogginBoink]

Building a new PDC means building an entire new domain. That shouldn't even be an option.

Do this: put a spare BDC on your network and synch it up with the PDC.

Do a full backup of the PDC.

Pull the spare BDC off the network.

Upgrade the PDC.

If the upgrade fails, pull it off the network, put the spare BDC on the network, promote it to PDC, and restore the original PDC.

 

[alocurto]

That is along the lines of what I was thinking... does anyone have any other ideas? Anyone have personal experience with this? Just want to make sure I cover my bases before the upgrade.