upgrading windows 2003 to windows 2008

Hi,

we have windows 2003 ent 64 bit with CA, radius, wins and DHCP services. We need to upgrade to windows 2008 server. What is the best way to do it? straight upgrade, or install new server and move services ? thanks,

Hi,

The Best way to achieve your scenario is going with Transition. That mean Install a new windows server 2008 and move all the roles to it from your old serrver to the new server. I beleive in place upgrade is dangerous as you cannot revert back easily if you fail to do it.

The things that are better left unspoken : Transitioning your Active Directory to Windows Server 2008


The things that are better left unspoken : Upgrading your Active Directory to Windows Server 2008

For DHCP see this link



How to move a DHCP database from a computer that is running Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008

How to move a DHCP database from a computer that is running Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008

Microsoft Enterprise Networking Team : Steps to move a DHCP database from a Windows Server 2003 or 2008 to another Windows Server 2008 machine


For CA see this

1. Backup the CA database and private key and export the CA registry configuration from the Windows Server 2003.

2. Remove Certificate Services from the Windows Server 2003 server.

3. Set up a enterprise root CA on a computer running Windows Server 2008 with the root CA certificate (with private key) that is exported from the Windows Server 2003 server.

4. Restoring the CA Database on the Windows Server 2008 Computer.

5. After I restart the certificate service on the Windows Server 2008, it functions well for enrolling certificates without restoring the CA Configuration (registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\CertSvc\configuration from the Windows Server 2003).

Please make sure to perform a complete server backup on the Windows Server 2003 before migrating the CA (remove Certificate Services).



For Wins


backup:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../cc727901.aspx

restore:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../cc727960.aspx

__________________
A.Rajesh Khanna

Hi,

Here is a detailed document to be followed when setting up Active directory on a VM .

Considerations when hosting Active Directory domain controller in virtual hosting environments

I appreciate this document because it gives us a checklist .

__________________
Shaalini.S
Be the Best of Whatever you are...

Hi,


Yes, you can upgrade the server to Windows Server 2008 directly. However, Microsoft recommend a clean installation of Windows Server 2008 whenever possible. For more information, please refer to the following guide:


Guide for Upgrading to Windows Server 2008

Guide for Upgrading to Windows Server 2008



For AD CS, you can refer to this article to determine whether to upgrade or migrate the AD CS environment:


Planning the Upgrade or Migration

Planning the Upgrade or Migration


Hope the information is helpful.

Hi,

thank you all for an answer

Thanks for the info. Its really helpful info.