Home > Articles

This chapter is from the book

Choosing to Upgrade or Make a Clean Installation

A major consideration related to a Windows Server 2003 installation is whether to upgrade in-place servers or do a clean install on a replacement server that will take over the role of a server or servers already on the network. For example, you might be running Windows 2000 Server on a computer that you want to replace (it might have seen better days hardware-wise). You can install Windows Server 2003 on a new server and make it a domain controller in the Windows 2000 domain that already exists. This will allow the new server to replicate all the information in the Active Directory on the Windows 2000 Server (the Windows 2000 Server should have the latest service packs installed). You can then "retire" the Windows 2000 Server and use the Windows Server 2003 as the domain controller for the domain.

Whatever your strategy is for bringing new servers online on an existing network, you must deal with issues related to earlier versions of the Windows network operating system, such as Windows 2000 and Windows NT. The next two sections discuss issues related to upgrading these two versions of Windows server.

Planning for a Windows 2000 Upgrade

Upgrading a server (even a domain controller) from Windows 2000 to Windows Server 2003 is a fairly easy process. Because Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003 both embrace the Active Directory hierarchy and DNS namespace, the notion of forests, trees, and domains is common to both network operating systems. This means that a radical redesign of the network domain structure is not necessary.

However, you need to keep some things in mind when upgrading Windows 2000 Server to Windows Server 2003. First, you must make sure that the server's hardware is compatible with Windows Server 2003 (as you would for a server that will get a clean installation). It is also important that you have installed Windows 2000 Server Service Pack 2 (or later, if available) on the server to upgrade the files in the Windows 2000 Server installation.

Finally, you must prepare the forest and the domain for the upgrade to Windows Server 2003. This is done using the adprep command-line utility found in the i386 folder on the Windows Server 2003 CD-ROM. You actually have to run this upgrade program on the Schema Master and the Infrastructure Master on the domain. The schema is the database template for the Active Directory and defines the objects that can exist in the Active Directory (such as users, groups, and so on).

NOTE

On smaller domains with a limited number of domain controllers, the Schema Master and the Infrastructure Master are the same Windows 2000 domain controller.

The Schema Master is typically the first server you brought online using Windows 2000 Server. It is the Schema Master because it defines the Active Directory schema for the domain (the schema being the actual definition of the objects contained in the Active Directory). There is only one Schema Master per Windows 2000 forest (which can be many domains).

The Infrastructure Master is charged with the task of upgrading group and user associations. It keeps track of what groups users belong to. If group membership changes, the Infrastructure Master records this and then replicates it to the other domain controllers in the domain. When you create the first domain in a Windows 2000 forest, that domain controller is assigned the Infrastructure Master status.

TIP

To locate the Schema Master in your Windows 2000 domain, install the Active Directory Schema snap-in. It is part of the adminpak tools found in the i386 folder on the Windows 2000 Server CD (it is also in the same place on the Windows Server 2003 CD, but do not install the adminpak.msi file from the 2003 CD on the Windows 2000 server). After installation, open the Active Directory Schema snap-in. In the console tree, right-click Active Directory Schema and then click Operations Master. The name of the current domain-naming master (the Schema Master) appears in Current Operations Master.

Before you upgrade the Schema Master, back up the server and then disconnect this server from the network. Place the Windows Server 2003 CD in the server's CD-ROM drive. Open a command prompt and then switch to the CD's i386 folder. At the prompt, type adprep /forestprep. Then press Enter. If no errors are reported when the utility has completed running, you can hook the Schema Master back up to the network. It then replicates with the Infrastructure Master. (This can take a number of hours or even a day or so on a large network, so be patient.)

When you are ready to upgrade the Infrastructure Master, run the adprep /forestprep command, as outlined for the Schema Master. After giving the Infrastructure Master time to replicate with the other domain controllers on the network, you can then begin upgrading the domain controllers running Windows 2000 Server with Windows Server 2003.

Planning for a Windows NT Upgrade

You can also upgrade a Windows NT domain (or domains) to a Windows Server 2003 domain. The first thing you should do is install NT Service Pack 5 to the servers running Windows NT 4 (also install any service packs on the server that have become available after Service Pack 5). You should also back up domain controllers and other specialized servers before performing the upgrades. In addition, you should check the server hardware to see if it meets the requirements for Windows Server 2003, including hardware compatibility.

In the Windows NT networking environment, one primary domain controller is configured for each domain. The primary domain controller is aided by backup domain controllers that contain a copy of the primary domain controller's database.

You might want to upgrade member servers in the domain first. This enables you to bring services such as the Windows Server 2003 versions of DNS and DHCP online. The first domain controller that must be upgraded in the NT domain is the primary domain controller. You can then upgrade the backup domain controllers (which in the Windows Server 2003 environment are domain controllers because there is no such thing as a backup domain controller).

During the upgrade from Windows NT to Windows Server 2003, you will also want to allow the installation software to upgrade the system partition on your server to NTFS 5. Windows Server 2003 requires it for the Active Directory.

NOTE

A lengthy discussion of transforming a Windows NT multidomain network into a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory hierarchy is beyond the scope of this book. However, one approach to upgrading multiple NT domains is to set up the Windows Server 2003 network that will replace it and then transfer user accounts and other domain information using a tool called the Active Directory Migration Tool (ADMT). This tool is available with the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit.

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020