My current Domain  functional level = 2003

my primary Domain Controller is to be replaced and I have  the new Server 2012 box here

I need a roadmap on how to get this 2012 box integrated as a domain contoller that wil eventually be my primary DC

thanks

Hi,

Since the functional level of your domain is Windows Server 2003, you can introduce a Windows Server 2012 as Domain Controller without the need of running Adprep.exe for AD schema upgrade, because ADPREP has been integrated into the AD DS installation and runs automatically.

Here are the steps below for you to safely introduce a Windows Server 2012 as the primary DC:

1. Run DCdaig.exe and Repadmin.exe on your existing DCs to ensure that there is no issue across the domain.
2. Promote the Windows Server 2012 as a DC, wait for AD replication completes.
3. Transfer FSMO roles to the new DC, and make the new DC the Global Catalog.
4. Run DCdiag.exe and Repadmin.exe to examine the domain status.

More information for you:

Upgrade Domain Controllers to Windows Server 2012

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh994618.aspx

Install a Replica Windows Server 2012 Domain Controller in an Existing Domain (Level 200)

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj574134.aspx

Adding a windows 2012 DC to a windows 2003 forest

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windowsserver/en-US/87876f09-90e6-4548-bdb6-7b1e525951be/adding-a-windows-2012-dc-to-a-windows-2003-forest?forum=winserverDS

I hope this helps.

Amy Wang

check out this link:

http://blogs.technet.com/b/canitpro/archive/2013/05/27/step-by-step-active-directory-migration-from-windows-server-2003-to-windows-server-2012.aspx

hope it helps :)