Moving data from old domain to new domain in different forest

[Alex]

I've created a new domain in a new tree in a new forest. I want it to
have nothing to do with the old domains which i am going to demote
completely after I set up the new one.

The new servers are currently isolated physically too...now to move
people's data over to the new domain, how should i do it ?

There's 4 servers in the new domain connected to a switch, and the old
servers also have another switch...should i connect the 2 switches?

How would i then move the files across forests, I dont want to have to
set up trusts etc if possible.

Also how are permissions affected? File system is NTFS in all cases.
I'd want to get rid of the old permissions completely and set them up
in the new system for the new user accounts and groups.

Is it better to just copy all the data using a portable HDD or a
DVD-ROM ?

 

[Phillip Windell]

The new servers are currently isolated physically too...now to move
people's data over to the new domain, how should i do it ?

Copy the files.

There's 4 servers in the new domain connected to a switch, and the old
servers also have another switch...should i connect the 2 switches?

There is no magic,...you just need connectivity between the source and
destination server

How would i then move the files across forests, I dont want to have to
set up trusts etc if possible.

you probably need a trust, but if you try without it, then at a minimum you
would have to include the domainname infron tof the username at the
authentication prompt (domainname\username).

I'd want to get rid of the old permissions completely and set them up
in the new system for the new user accounts and groups.

You have to recreate what permissions you want on the new server after the
files are copied.

Is it better to just copy all the data using a portable HDD or a
DVD-ROM ?

That would be fine, but with a CD or DVD remember to remove the "read-only"
attributes from the files and folders after they are copied.