AD first or DNS first

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Guest

My Question is rather simple. I am planning to upgrade my NT4 Network to AD,
but I think since AD rely on DNS so much should I upgrade my BDC to Win2K3
first, but that I mean the OS and DNS, DHCP and WINS. Then afterwards
upgrade my PDC with AD. What are the pro's and con's. Any input is
appreciated. TIA
 
My Question is rather simple. I am planning to upgrade my NT4 Network to
AD,
but I think since AD rely on DNS so much should I upgrade my BDC to Win2K3
first, but that I mean the OS and DNS, DHCP and WINS.
Click to expand...


NO!

The PDC is the only DC on a NT 4.0 domain that holds a writeable copy of the
SAM. In order to carry that copy of the SAM into the AD domain you MUST
upgrade the PDC first. Upgrading the BDC first will result in new SAM. New
SAM = new domain. Now you would have two separate domains, possibly with the
same name. At this point you are just about backed into the corner that will
take a format and reinstall to recover from.


Upgrade the PDC first and let the wizard set up DNS on the upgraded PDC.
See:
How To Upgrade a Windows NT 4.0-Based PDC to a Windows Server 2003-Based
Domain Controller

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326209

Best Practices for DNS Client settings in Windows 2000 server and in Windows
Server 2003

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;825036

Setting Up the Domain Name System for Active Directory

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;237675

How to configure DNS for Internet access in Windows Server 2003

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;323380



Yes AD totally relies on DNS, but when you upgrade your PDC to Win 2k3
dcpromo runs to make it a DC, then you set up DNS. You shouldn't have to use
anything that relies on DNS between dcpromo and you setting up DNS.\



hth

DDS W 2k MVP MCSE
 
Danny

SOrry when I mean upgrade I mean upgrade the OS from NT4 Server to Win2K3.
With DHCP,DNS and WINS, is that going to be an issue. I was going to do the
AD upgrade once the DNS,DHCP and WINS are solid. Thanks for your input.
 
SOrry when I mean upgrade I mean upgrade the OS from NT4 Server to Win2K3.

When you install Win 2k3 on an NT PDC or BDC, the install realizes it is a
DC and automatically installs AD.


Upgrade the PDC first.


DDS W 2k MVP MCSE
 
Thank you very much, I did not know that.

Also I want to know when I do upgrade the PDC should I use the exist DNS on
my NT4 or should create a new DNS. If I were to setup the new DNS how can I
point the NT4 DNS to replicate to the new DNS (upgraded PDC). Since the NT4
DNS is the primary? THanks
 
AD requires a DNS server that supports SRV records.

Upgrade your existing PDC, let dcpromo run, set up DNS on the upgraded PDC
after dcpromo runs.

Read the articles I posted. They take you step by step to upgrade the PDC
and install DNS. Your questions are answered in the articles.

hth
DDS W 2k MVP MCSE
 
It would be better if you got rid of DNS on this machine, and then let
dcpromo set it up. Then, you can delete the zone on the NT server and make
it a secondary server to the 2003 DC. If they're different namespaces, you
may want to keep the NT one. In this case, you can just make the NT a
secondary to the 2003 domain as well (it will then hold two zones).


--

Paul Williams

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