We are finally upgrading our Windows 2003 server to 2008 R2. The 2003 server runs Active Directory, domain controller, printers, files, DNS, and DHCP. The 2008 server is a new box, it's not really "upgrading" the 2003 server, it's replacing it I guess you'd say. Is there a tool to copy the info from the old server to the new one, and keep the server name the same? Not sure what the easiest (and best) way of going about this. I have about 40 workstations (XP, Vista, and W7) and 3 printers to deal with.

Meinolf has a good step-by-step page page here. http://msmvps.com/blogs/mweber/archive/2010/02/10/upgrading-an-active-directory-domain-from-windows-server-2003-to-windows-server-2008-or-windows-server-2008-r2.aspx Regards, Dave Patrick .... Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft MVP [Windows] Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights.

Meinolf has a good step-by-step page page here. http://msmvps.com/blogs/mweber/archive/2010/02/10/upgrading-an-active-directory-domain-from-windows-server-2003-to-windows-server-2008-or-windows-server-2008-r2.aspx Regards, Dave Patrick .... Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft MVP [Windows] Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights.

Meinolf has a good step-by-step page page here. http://msmvps.com/blogs/mweber/archive/2010/02/10/upgrading-an-active-directory-domain-from-windows-server-2003-to-windows-server-2008-or-windows-server-2008-r2.aspx Regards, Dave Patrick .... Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft MVP [Windows] Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights. Hi, Dave provides the good information about migrating Active Directory, domain controller, DNS and DHCP. I would like to provide the information about migrating files and printers. Please read the following web sites for your information. Using File Server Migration Toolkit http://terrytlslau.tls1.cc/2011/03/using-file-server-migration-toolkit.html Printer Server Migration from W2003 to W2008 http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/winserverprint/thread/a77a736e-9a13-41e6-8ce3-9cea96f1335f/ Regards, Terry | My Blog: http://terrytlslau.tls1.cc This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Meinolf has a good step-by-step page page here. http://msmvps.com/blogs/mweber/archive/2010/02/10/upgrading-an-active-directory-domain-from-windows-server-2003-to-windows-server-2008-or-windows-server-2008-r2.aspx Regards, Dave Patrick .... Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft MVP [Windows] Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights. Hi, Dave provides the good information about migrating Active Directory, domain controller, DNS and DHCP. I would like to provide the information about migrating files and printers. Please read the following web sites for your information. Using File Server Migration Toolkit http://terrytlslau.tls1.cc/2011/03/using-file-server-migration-toolkit.html Printer Server Migration from W2003 to W2008 http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/winserverprint/thread/a77a736e-9a13-41e6-8ce3-9cea96f1335f/ Regards, Terry | My Blog: http://terrytlslau.tls1.cc This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Hello, keeping the server name either requires an inplace upgrade, ONLY possible if both OS are the same 32bit or 64bit, renaming a DC after transfer( i recommend against this) or using a temporary machine as second DC and then install the new DC with the old name after the old one is demoted and renamed. http://msmvps.com/blogs/mweber/archive/2010/02/13/upgrade-a-domain-controller-to-a-new-operating-system-version-and-keep-the-name.aspx After transferring FSMO roles the time service must be reconfigured on the new PDCEmulator, details in http://msmvps.com/blogs/mweber/archive/2010/06/27/time-configuration-in-a-windows-domain.aspx Data from shared folders can be copied with robocopy from the new OS DC.Best regards Meinolf Weber MVP, MCP, MCTS Microsoft MVP - Directory Services My Blog: http://msmvps.com/blogs/mweber/ Disclaimer: This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties or guarantees and confers no rights.

Hello, keeping the server name either requires an inplace upgrade, ONLY possible if both OS are the same 32bit or 64bit, renaming a DC after transfer( i recommend against this) or using a temporary machine as second DC and then install the new DC with the old name after the old one is demoted and renamed. http://msmvps.com/blogs/mweber/archive/2010/02/13/upgrade-a-domain-controller-to-a-new-operating-system-version-and-keep-the-name.aspx After transferring FSMO roles the time service must be reconfigured on the new PDCEmulator, details in http://msmvps.com/blogs/mweber/archive/2010/06/27/time-configuration-in-a-windows-domain.aspx Data from shared folders can be copied with robocopy from the new OS DC.Best regards Meinolf Weber MVP, MCP, MCTS Microsoft MVP - Directory Services My Blog: http://msmvps.com/blogs/mweber/ Disclaimer: This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties or guarantees and confers no rights.

To upgrade to AD DS 2008 R2, refer to this Microsoft Guide: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=14277 Once upgraded, introduce the new 2008 R2 server as a DC and make it a DNS and GC server. Also, transfer FSMO roles to it. For DHCP, migrate it: http://blogs.technet.com/b/teamdhcp/archive/2009/02/18/migration-of-dhcp-server-from-windows-server-2003-to-windows-server-2008.aspx Same for the print server: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd379488%28v=ws.10%29.aspx Once done, you can decommission the old DC. This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights. Microsoft Student Partner 2010 / 2011 Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator: Security Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Security Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows 7, Configuring Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Designing and Providing Volume Licensing Solutions to Large Organizations Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Enterprise Administrator Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Server Administrator Microsoft Certified Trainer

To upgrade to AD DS 2008 R2, refer to this Microsoft Guide: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=14277 Once upgraded, introduce the new 2008 R2 server as a DC and make it a DNS and GC server. Also, transfer FSMO roles to it. For DHCP, migrate it: http://blogs.technet.com/b/teamdhcp/archive/2009/02/18/migration-of-dhcp-server-from-windows-server-2003-to-windows-server-2008.aspx Same for the print server: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd379488%28v=ws.10%29.aspx Once done, you can decommission the old DC. This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights. Microsoft Student Partner 2010 / 2011 Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator: Security Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Security Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows 7, Configuring Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Designing and Providing Volume Licensing Solutions to Large Organizations Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Enterprise Administrator Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Server Administrator Microsoft Certified Trainer

Hi, As this thread has been quiet for a while, we will mark it as Answered as the information provided should be helpful. If you need further help, please feel free to reply this post directly so we will be notified to follow it up. You can also choose to unmark the answer as you wish. BTW, wed love to hear your feedback about the solution. By sharing your experience you can help other community members facing similar problems. Thanks for your understanding and efforts. Best Regards KevinTechNet Community Support

Hi, As this thread has been quiet for a while, we will mark it as Answered as the information provided should be helpful. If you need further help, please feel free to reply this post directly so we will be notified to follow it up. You can also choose to unmark the answer as you wish. BTW, wed love to hear your feedback about the solution. By sharing your experience you can help other community members facing similar problems. Thanks for your understanding and efforts. Best Regards KevinTechNet Community Support