Windows 2003 Enterprise and SBS 2003 Domain Coexistence

  • Thread starter Thread starter Seay
  • Start date Start date
S

Seay

I have initially created a Windows 2003 Enterprise AD network - 2 DC and 2
Enterprise FS

I realized this was an overkill so what I want to do is go to SBS 2003
Domain - 2003 AD


Question:
----------
Can I join an SBS 2003 server into my current Windows 2003 Ent based domain?
<-- THIS is the MAIN question

I am wanting to copy my users and computers into the SBS 2003 and take
advantage of the 'budled' softwares - Exchange 2003 and SPS 2003.


Please do not discuss the "better" or "cheaper" etc option - I would simply
like to know if you can to transfer objects over.

Thank you.
 
Hello Seay,

Sbs needs to be the root of the forest hence top level domain
controller. It can not join another domain. An SBS network can have many
domain controllers but they are all in the same domain (Again with SBS
being the root). SBS can not form trusts.

There are a number of things you could do.

One item I have done a few times (Just to get the data etc over)

Turn off DHCP on the SBS server, make sure it has an IP valid on the
existing network, make an acocunt with the same username/password on
both networks as administrators, link network drives to any data needed,
dump accross any data, extract out user account info with any of the vbs
tools out there then break all links with the current domain and build
the SBS box as it's own network with the view to never join to the old
network (it now serves as a backup of your data until your first good
backup). Turn on DHCP again.

The vbs scripts can migrate all user data out as a CSV file and then
import again with other vbs scripts. (if all you need is the user
acocunts you go forgo all this and do it to a usb key or floppy disk).

I am not aware of any way to dirrectly connect the AD's and migrate the
data over. SBS cannot act as a bridgehead in this way.

There will be other ways. I know my way (which might be allot of work
compared to another way). There will be more advice from others so hang
in there and someone who might know more than my expeariance might reply
to you !
I have initially created a Windows 2003 Enterprise AD network - 2 DC and 2
Enterprise FS

I realized this was an overkill so what I want to do is go to SBS 2003
Domain - 2003 AD


Question:
----------
Can I join an SBS 2003 server into my current Windows 2003 Ent based domain?
<-- THIS is the MAIN question

I am wanting to copy my users and computers into the SBS 2003 and take
advantage of the 'budled' softwares - Exchange 2003 and SPS 2003.


Please do not discuss the "better" or "cheaper" etc option - I would simply
like to know if you can to transfer objects over.

Thank you.
Click to expand...

--
Michael J. Jenkin MVP - SBS, Senior Systems Engineer , Millennium
Business Solutions
Microsoft Most Valued Professional, Microsoft's Windows Server Systems -
Small Business Server
MVP's do not work for Microsoft. If this email was generated in a
newsgroup, please reply only to the newsgroup.
Note: The contents of my postings and responses here represent my
personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views, thoughts or
feelings of Microsoft or any of its employees.
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
 
With SBS2k3 you can just install the OS portion (first part of the
installation) and join it to the existing domain. You would have to DCPromo
manually and transfer all FSMO roles and then continue with the integrated
setup. If you are just starting... I suggest you start over, this looks much
more simple than what it really is.

BTW-> SBS does not have SharePoint Portal Server (SPS), it has Windows
SharePoint Services (WSS). Two differente beasts :-)

BTW2-> The NG for SBS2k3 is microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs
 
Thx Javier...to confirm with you...what you are saying is install SBS 2003
as a normal server and join to domain...then DCPROMO it in the new domain to
function as a DC in the existing domain and transfer roles?
So it really functions as "normal" server that can be DCPROMO as "normal:
standard W2K3 server! WOW if thats correct.




Javier Gomez said:
With SBS2k3 you can just install the OS portion (first part of the
installation) and join it to the existing domain. You would have to
DCPromo manually and transfer all FSMO roles and then continue with the
integrated setup. If you are just starting... I suggest you start over,
this looks much more simple than what it really is.

BTW-> SBS does not have SharePoint Portal Server (SPS), it has Windows
SharePoint Services (WSS). Two differente beasts :-)

BTW2-> The NG for SBS2k3 is microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs

--
Javier [SBS MVP]

<< SBS ROCKS !!! >>

Michael Jenkin said:
Hello Seay,

Sbs needs to be the root of the forest hence top level domain
controller. It can not join another domain. An SBS network can have many
domain controllers but they are all in the same domain (Again with SBS
being the root). SBS can not form trusts.

There are a number of things you could do.

One item I have done a few times (Just to get the data etc over)

Turn off DHCP on the SBS server, make sure it has an IP valid on the
existing network, make an acocunt with the same username/password on
both networks as administrators, link network drives to any data needed,
dump accross any data, extract out user account info with any of the vbs
tools out there then break all links with the current domain and build
the SBS box as it's own network with the view to never join to the old
network (it now serves as a backup of your data until your first good
backup). Turn on DHCP again.

The vbs scripts can migrate all user data out as a CSV file and then
import again with other vbs scripts. (if all you need is the user
acocunts you go forgo all this and do it to a usb key or floppy disk).

I am not aware of any way to dirrectly connect the AD's and migrate the
data over. SBS cannot act as a bridgehead in this way.

There will be other ways. I know my way (which might be allot of work
compared to another way). There will be more advice from others so hang
in there and someone who might know more than my expeariance might reply
to you !


--
Michael J. Jenkin MVP - SBS, Senior Systems Engineer , Millennium
Business Solutions
Microsoft Most Valued Professional, Microsoft's Windows Server Systems -
Small Business Server
MVP's do not work for Microsoft. If this email was generated in a
newsgroup, please reply only to the newsgroup.
Note: The contents of my postings and responses here represent my
personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views, thoughts or
feelings of Microsoft or any of its employees.
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
You are correct. However, I didn't mention that you have 7 days to complete
this... if at that time the SBS install is not finished you will start
getting warnings and eventually the server will shutdown within the hour.
So, it is imperative that you dcpromo it, transfer all fsmo roles and
continue the integrated setup.

Cheers,

--
Javier [SBS MVP]

<< SBS ROCKS !!! >>

Seay said:
Thx Javier...to confirm with you...what you are saying is install SBS 2003
as a normal server and join to domain...then DCPROMO it in the new domain
to function as a DC in the existing domain and transfer roles?
So it really functions as "normal" server that can be DCPROMO as "normal:
standard W2K3 server! WOW if thats correct.




Javier Gomez said:
With SBS2k3 you can just install the OS portion (first part of the
installation) and join it to the existing domain. You would have to
DCPromo manually and transfer all FSMO roles and then continue with the
integrated setup. If you are just starting... I suggest you start over,
this looks much more simple than what it really is.

BTW-> SBS does not have SharePoint Portal Server (SPS), it has Windows
SharePoint Services (WSS). Two differente beasts :-)

BTW2-> The NG for SBS2k3 is microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs

--
Javier [SBS MVP]

<< SBS ROCKS !!! >>

Michael Jenkin said:
Hello Seay,

Sbs needs to be the root of the forest hence top level domain
controller. It can not join another domain. An SBS network can have many
domain controllers but they are all in the same domain (Again with SBS
being the root). SBS can not form trusts.

There are a number of things you could do.

One item I have done a few times (Just to get the data etc over)

Turn off DHCP on the SBS server, make sure it has an IP valid on the
existing network, make an acocunt with the same username/password on
both networks as administrators, link network drives to any data needed,
dump accross any data, extract out user account info with any of the vbs
tools out there then break all links with the current domain and build
the SBS box as it's own network with the view to never join to the old
network (it now serves as a backup of your data until your first good
backup). Turn on DHCP again.

The vbs scripts can migrate all user data out as a CSV file and then
import again with other vbs scripts. (if all you need is the user
acocunts you go forgo all this and do it to a usb key or floppy disk).

I am not aware of any way to dirrectly connect the AD's and migrate the
data over. SBS cannot act as a bridgehead in this way.

There will be other ways. I know my way (which might be allot of work
compared to another way). There will be more advice from others so hang
in there and someone who might know more than my expeariance might reply
to you !

Seay wrote:

I have initially created a Windows 2003 Enterprise AD network - 2 DC
and 2
Enterprise FS

I realized this was an overkill so what I want to do is go to SBS 2003
Domain - 2003 AD


Question:
----------
Can I join an SBS 2003 server into my current Windows 2003 Ent based
domain?
<-- THIS is the MAIN question

I am wanting to copy my users and computers into the SBS 2003 and take
advantage of the 'budled' softwares - Exchange 2003 and SPS 2003.


Please do not discuss the "better" or "cheaper" etc option - I would
simply
like to know if you can to transfer objects over.

Thank you.



--
Michael J. Jenkin MVP - SBS, Senior Systems Engineer , Millennium
Business Solutions
Microsoft Most Valued Professional, Microsoft's Windows Server Systems -
Small Business Server
MVP's do not work for Microsoft. If this email was generated in a
newsgroup, please reply only to the newsgroup.
Note: The contents of my postings and responses here represent my
personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views, thoughts or
feelings of Microsoft or any of its employees.
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Just curious, can I during this period ALSO move my mailbox from Exchange
2003 Ent (Exchange in the domain I want to move FROM) into the Exchange 2003
SBS Edition (destination domain - SBS domain of course) - while I have this
coexistence - Again, I have licensing issues I need to comply with and we
are below 50 users.


BTW, do you have your own site for these kind of info - very good info you
have!


Javier Gomez said:
You are correct. However, I didn't mention that you have 7 days to
complete this... if at that time the SBS install is not finished you will
start getting warnings and eventually the server will shutdown within the
hour. So, it is imperative that you dcpromo it, transfer all fsmo roles
and continue the integrated setup.

Cheers,

--
Javier [SBS MVP]

<< SBS ROCKS !!! >>

Seay said:
Thx Javier...to confirm with you...what you are saying is install SBS
2003 as a normal server and join to domain...then DCPROMO it in the new
domain to function as a DC in the existing domain and transfer roles?
So it really functions as "normal" server that can be DCPROMO as "normal:
standard W2K3 server! WOW if thats correct.




Javier Gomez said:
With SBS2k3 you can just install the OS portion (first part of the
installation) and join it to the existing domain. You would have to
DCPromo manually and transfer all FSMO roles and then continue with the
integrated setup. If you are just starting... I suggest you start over,
this looks much more simple than what it really is.

BTW-> SBS does not have SharePoint Portal Server (SPS), it has Windows
SharePoint Services (WSS). Two differente beasts :-)

BTW2-> The NG for SBS2k3 is microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs

--
Javier [SBS MVP]

<< SBS ROCKS !!! >>

Hello Seay,

Sbs needs to be the root of the forest hence top level domain
controller. It can not join another domain. An SBS network can have
many
domain controllers but they are all in the same domain (Again with SBS
being the root). SBS can not form trusts.

There are a number of things you could do.

One item I have done a few times (Just to get the data etc over)

Turn off DHCP on the SBS server, make sure it has an IP valid on the
existing network, make an acocunt with the same username/password on
both networks as administrators, link network drives to any data
needed,
dump accross any data, extract out user account info with any of the
vbs
tools out there then break all links with the current domain and build
the SBS box as it's own network with the view to never join to the old
network (it now serves as a backup of your data until your first good
backup). Turn on DHCP again.

The vbs scripts can migrate all user data out as a CSV file and then
import again with other vbs scripts. (if all you need is the user
acocunts you go forgo all this and do it to a usb key or floppy disk).

I am not aware of any way to dirrectly connect the AD's and migrate the
data over. SBS cannot act as a bridgehead in this way.

There will be other ways. I know my way (which might be allot of work
compared to another way). There will be more advice from others so hang
in there and someone who might know more than my expeariance might
reply
to you !

Seay wrote:

I have initially created a Windows 2003 Enterprise AD network - 2 DC
and 2
Enterprise FS

I realized this was an overkill so what I want to do is go to SBS 2003
Domain - 2003 AD


Question:
----------
Can I join an SBS 2003 server into my current Windows 2003 Ent based
domain?
<-- THIS is the MAIN question

I am wanting to copy my users and computers into the SBS 2003 and take
advantage of the 'budled' softwares - Exchange 2003 and SPS 2003.


Please do not discuss the "better" or "cheaper" etc option - I would
simply
like to know if you can to transfer objects over.

Thank you.



--
Michael J. Jenkin MVP - SBS, Senior Systems Engineer , Millennium
Business Solutions
Microsoft Most Valued Professional, Microsoft's Windows Server
Systems -
Small Business Server
MVP's do not work for Microsoft. If this email was generated in a
newsgroup, please reply only to the newsgroup.
Note: The contents of my postings and responses here represent my
personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views, thoughts or
feelings of Microsoft or any of its employees.
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Thanks Javier,

Like I said, someone else will have the alternatives and they are better
!
You are correct. However, I didn't mention that you have 7 days to complete
this... if at that time the SBS install is not finished you will start
getting warnings and eventually the server will shutdown within the hour.
So, it is imperative that you dcpromo it, transfer all fsmo roles and
continue the integrated setup.

Cheers,
Click to expand...

--
Michael J. Jenkin MVP - SBS, Senior Systems Engineer , Millennium
Business Solutions
Microsoft Most Valued Professional, Microsoft's Windows Server Systems -
Small Business Server
MVP's do not work for Microsoft. If this email was generated in a
newsgroup, please reply only to the newsgroup.
Note: The contents of my postings and responses here represent my
personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views, thoughts or
feelings of Microsoft or any of its employees.
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
 
Just curious, can I during this period ALSO move my mailbox from Exchange
2003 Ent (Exchange in the domain I want to move FROM) into the Exchange
2003 SBS Edition (destination domain - SBS domain of course) - while I
have this coexistence - Again, I have licensing issues I need to comply
with and we are below 50 users.
Click to expand...

I don't have experience in this particular type of migration... but I think
it is possible. The good thing about adding the SBS to the existing domain
is that you can take the SBS box away and you will have the original network
to fall back (if anything goes wrong). Worse case scenario... you can just
use Exmerge and delete all references in AD to Exchange and use Exmerge
again to import back the mailboxes once SBS is solid.
BTW, do you have your own site for these kind of info - very good info you
have!
Click to expand...

Thanks! I don't have my own site (although I have been considering starting
a blog). However, there are many SBS sites that have great info:
www.smallbizserver.net www.sbslinks.com www.sbs-rocks.com www.sbsfaq.com and
the blogs by my fellow SBS MVPs (Chad, Susan, Kevin and now... Wayne):
www.msmvps.com..
 
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