Changing Win2K from mixed to native mode

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Are there any gotcha's I need to worry about if I change from mixed-to-native
mode in a pure Win2K environment?

In addition to my PDC, I have 2BDC and several member servers. All are at
SP3 or SP4. I also have a couple of 2003 member servers.

My Exchange 5.5 SP4 server is one of my BDC. I am also running ISA 2000 on
a member server. That server is also running RRAS for the purpose of VPNs to
remote sites (connecting to Win2K or 2003 member servers), employee VPNs via
broadband, and employee dial-up.

I am getting ready to move the entire organization to Windows 2003 Server
and Exchange 2003 Server, and I thought this would be the place to start.

TIA.
 
Hi Mark,

I don't know of any issues, but you are running Exchange 5.5? Does this
actually run under 2000? Maybe it does, I just seem to remember it as an
NT4 product. You have trashed all your old NT4 BDCs right? You have a
full backup with System State right? In that case I'd say you're ready
for native mode. Are you happy with your DNS?
 
Hi Gerry,

I have installed and am running in one of our remote sites a Exchange 5.5
server on a 200 server running in AD Native mode and it is more stable then
on my NT4 box?? Go figure.

I have the same question relating to the migration from Mixed to Native. I
have 3 Exchange servers running NT4, but I no longer have any NT DC's. I am
looking to move to Native to come in line with the rest of the forest, we are
a child domain.

All I was looking for was any 'look out' for's before moving as I know this
is a one way process otherwise restore. I have an old NT4 BDC that I can
probably sync prior to 'THE CLICK', I can also, maybe shut down my 'BDC'
incase of a failure in the conversion? What impact would this have on the new
domain structure?

Many thanks for your help
 
Hi there Gerry -

Yes, I have been running Exchange 5.5 on Win2K for a long while...

Also, I have no NT4 servers at all anymore and yes, I run a System State
backup every night. DNS is operating perfectly.

My main concern I guess was either my Exchange Server becoming hosed somehow
(since it is a BDC) or my RRAS configuration - which is fairly complicated
and took me a long time to get pretty bulletproof as far as reliablility -
getting dorked up due to different securities or something. Also, clients
losing access for the same reason (all cleints are at Win2K or XP Pro).

I know when I go to native mode, AD is changed in some ways, and that is
what makes me nervous.
 
Oh, and thanks!!

Gerry Hickman said:
Hi Mark,

I don't know of any issues, but you are running Exchange 5.5? Does this
actually run under 2000? Maybe it does, I just seem to remember it as an
NT4 product. You have trashed all your old NT4 BDCs right? You have a
full backup with System State right? In that case I'd say you're ready
for native mode. Are you happy with your DNS?
Click to expand...
 
Hi Mark,
Yes, I have been running Exchange 5.5 on Win2K for a long while...

Also, I have no NT4 servers at all anymore and yes, I run a System State
backup every night. DNS is operating perfectly.
Click to expand...

OK that all sounds good.

I only run System State once per week and I've no idea if I could
restore it, as I've never had a spare identical server to test it on.
My main concern I guess was either my Exchange Server becoming hosed somehow
(since it is a BDC)
Click to expand...

But isn't it the case that there's no such thing as a BDC under Win2k,
or is that only AFTER the switch?
or my RRAS configuration - which is fairly complicated
Click to expand...

You should probably do some searches on this just in case. I do remember
some issues with RAS, but not specific to native mode.
getting dorked up due to different securities or something. Also, clients
losing access for the same reason (all cleints are at Win2K or XP Pro).
Click to expand...

Which is the best and why (Win2k or XP) ?
I know when I go to native mode, AD is changed in some ways, and that is
what makes me nervous.
Click to expand...

Yes, but once you've got full replication it becomes less of a worry,
and after the switch it's a much better world to live in.
 
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