Hi guys,

I am a newbie but hope you can offer advice.

I am a IT Technician and am quite new to the server side of support, this is my first job incorperating that side of IT and indeed my first project at the new role. I have been asked to plan and carry out a project and have come up with the following, I hope you can offer your opinion as to if it will work fully, any potential problems, etc.

We are running Windows 2000 Server on a server that we want to replace (it has seen better days hardware-wise). As we already have Windows Server 2003 on the new server we can then make it a domain controller in the Windows 2000 domain that already exists. This will allow the new server to replicate all the information in the Active Directory on the Windows 2000 Server (the Windows 2000 Server should have the latest service packs installed). We can then "retire" the Windows 2000 Server and use the Windows Server 2003 as the domain controller for the domain. I need to ensure Active Directory remains intact and fully operative on the new server.

I would take the following steps:

Ensure the current DC has the latest service pack installed and if not install them.
Setup the new server as a Doman controller following instructions attached.
Ensure Active Directory has replicated fully to the new server.
Out of hours test Active Directory on the new server is supporting the network by turning off the current DC.
Demote the current DC following the instructions attached which will perform a final replication and then transfer the roles to the new domain controller.
Return old (now retired) DC to the network and commence data move to servers ensuring data integrity and permissions.
Retire old DC after all data has been replicated to the new server.

Many Many Thanks,

Allan