I am installing about 20 new 2008 r2 file and app servers, not DCs. I want to keep the shares and files that are on the old 2003 servers and export these setting to the 2008 servers. I would also like to keep the same server names if possible, even it is more after hours. Any suggestions?

Hello, You can use Robocopy to keep the same NTFS permissions: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc733145%28v=ws.10%29.aspx Once you migrated them, you can delete the old server and rename the new one. 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

Hello, Robocoby will retain the NTFS permission of the shared folders on the new server but it wont keep the share permission. As you also want to also keep the shares, you will have to re-configure file sharing on the new server. Microsofts best practice of migrating shares from old server to new server is introduced in KB125996, which is to export the Registry key as following and import it to the new server. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanManServer\Shares Another option I can think of is to join your new Windows 2008 servers to the existing domain and setup DFS. Use FSR to help transfer file shares from the old to new server. Just for your information. Thanks Zhang

Hello, Robocoby will retain the NTFS permission of the shared folders on the new server but it wont keep the share permission. As you also want to also keep the shares, you will have to re-configure file sharing on the new server. Microsofts best practice of migrating shares from old server to new server is introduced in KB125996, which is to export the Registry key as following and import it to the new server. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanManServer\Shares Another option I can think of is to join your new Windows 2008 servers to the existing domain and setup DFS. Use FSR to help transfer file shares from the old to new server. Just for your information. Thanks Zhang