Windows NT to 2003 AD Migration

vikassanju · 06-26-2008, 10:19 PM

Hi,
I have a windows NT domain "xyz-india" in India and an Active Directory domain "xyz.com" in other country.Both the domains are using DNS name "xyz.com".
Now I want to upgrade windows NT domain to 2003 AD domain.Options that are in my mind for this upgrade are.
1. In place upgrade of Windows Nt domain "xyz-india" domain to "xyz.com" AD domain and create a new domain in new forest.
But my concern is will I be able to use same name "xyz.com" as AD domain name because there is already one domain with this name and DNS server is aware of it.

2.Install additional Domain Controller for "xyz.com" AD domain in India and create and establish Sites between India and that country.
Then Migrate Windows NT domain "xyz-india" to "xyz.com" AD domain.

I donot want to change our DNS name "xyz.com".Will this migration maintain everything ie user Profiles,Applications runnings.

I'm waiting for your valuable suggestions.

bdesmondMVP · 06-26-2008, 11:29 PM

Windows NT domains have zero dependency on DNS.

You're going to need to use ADMT or similiar to move the objects from this NT domain into your existing xyz.com AD forest.

vikassanju · 06-27-2008, 12:03 AM

Thanks, I'll do that using ADMT.

Pls suggest on point 2 of my question.
Will I be able to successfully implement it.
And after migration from "xyz-india" windows NT to "xyz.com" AD domain , do i need to unjoin workstations and add to "xyz.com" AD domain manually or there will be option for new domain automatically at login screen.

06-26-2008, 10:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
vikassanju Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2 OS: WIndows XP SP2	Windows NT to 2003 AD Migration Hi, I have a windows NT domain "xyz-india" in India and an Active Directory domain "xyz.com" in other country.Both the domains are using DNS name "xyz.com". Now I want to upgrade windows NT domain to 2003 AD domain.Options that are in my mind for this upgrade are. 1. In place upgrade of Windows Nt domain "xyz-india" domain to "xyz.com" AD domain and create a new domain in new forest. But my concern is will I be able to use same name "xyz.com" as AD domain name because there is already one domain with this name and DNS server is aware of it. 2.Install additional Domain Controller for "xyz.com" AD domain in India and create and establish Sites between India and that country. Then Migrate Windows NT domain "xyz-india" to "xyz.com" AD domain. I donot want to change our DNS name "xyz.com".Will this migration maintain everything ie user Profiles,Applications runnings. I'm waiting for your valuable suggestions.

06-26-2008, 11:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
bdesmondMVP Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 123 OS: 2003SP2x86	Re: Windows NT to 2003 AD Migration Windows NT domains have zero dependency on DNS. You're going to need to use ADMT or similiar to move the objects from this NT domain into your existing xyz.com AD forest. __________________ Thanks, Brian Desmond Windows Server MVP

06-27-2008, 12:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
vikassanju Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2 OS: WIndows XP SP2	Re: Windows NT to 2003 AD Migration Thanks, I'll do that using ADMT. Pls suggest on point 2 of my question. Will I be able to successfully implement it. And after migration from "xyz-india" windows NT to "xyz.com" AD domain , do i need to unjoin workstations and add to "xyz.com" AD domain manually or there will be option for new domain automatically at login screen.