Windows Server, AD and other Windows servers

[VinylxScratches]

How should I do this?

I want to run a Active Directory server in Windows Server 2003. I also want to run a Web server in Windows 2008. Do I connect the Windows Server 2008 to the AD on 2003? I plan on having Windows 7/Vista/XP/2000 all connect to the AD as well. The two Windows Servers will be running in a Virtual Machine.

 

[Goosemaster]

There should be no problems as 2008 servers are compatible with 2003 AD Domains.

Install 2003 server in it's VM first and follow the wizards to setup AD and DNS on what will be the Domain controller. Make sure to have static IP addresses and consider using a domain.local domain name (ex: google.local).

Other than that all that will be left to do is install 2008 in its VM and then join that machine to the domain you have created.


FYI:

Compatibility is usually not a big problem between 2003 and 2008 servers until you get deep into their feature sets such as AD DS Domain features on 2008 Domain Controllers (DCs).

2008 DCs are backwards compatible with 2003 DCs if the Domain is in 2003 mode but if the Domain is in 2008 mode it will not be compatible with 2003 DCS.