I am managing a 2003 forest and looking at 2008 R2 but a staggered migration approach, which adprep do I need ? we are not currently running 2003 R2 DCs but might have requirements to install 2003 R2 before we move completely to 2008 R2, we also want to be able to use RODCs so my question is which schema updates do I need to run ? My understanding is I need one for 2003 R2 to allow for 2003 R2 DCs and then one for 2008 R2 to allow for 2008 R2 DCs ? plus one to allow for RODC ? Or will the 2008 R2 schema update take care of my 2003 R2 ? thanks

Yes, upgrading the schema to version 47 will support the ALL --> 2003/2008 R2 servers and RODCs (once you add the first 2008 DC). Preparing your Active Directory Infrastructure for 2008 http://www.anitkb.com/2010/03/preparing-your-active-directory.html Visit: anITKB.com, an IT Knowledge Base.

ok you mean if we are running 2003 RTM we just need to update schema for 2008 R2 to enable us to promote 2003 R2 DCs, 2008 RTM and 2008 R2 ? I assume we can run the schema update before introducing the first 2008 R2 DC ? thanks

Yes, and Yes. You have to run ADPREP prior to introducing the first 2008 R2 server. Since you probably have 32 bit DCs at the moment, you'll need to run ADPREP32.exe. You will find this executable on the 2008 R2 media.Visit: anITKB.com, an IT Knowledge Base.

ok thanks. I wasn't aware that the latest schema updates for an OS version rolled up all previous versions in between one you're running and the latest.

Yes, you are not required to apply ADPREP for each version.Visit: anITKB.com, an IT Knowledge Base.

Thanks, appreciate.