Upgrading from server 2000 to server 2008R2?

[Jazsnap]

We would like to upgrade our servers to Windows server 2008 R2. Currently
we have two Windows 2000 (SP 4) domain controllers, we want to replace the
Forest Root Domain box with new hardware & upgrade the other DC to server
2008 R2.

I understand it's not possible to upgrade from 2000 straight to 2008 but is
server 2003 still available to ugrade to in between? I'm also not sure of
what the implications of retiring the Forest Root Domain box would be?

Would the best plan be to add the new 2008 server (domain function & forest
function level: 2000); upgrade the second box to Server 2008 R2 (via server
2003?); transfer the roles from the FRD box to the others; demote the FRD
to a member server then finally raise the forest & functional levels of the
2 remaining DCs?

Any advice would be greatly received?

Regards,
Jason

 

[Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]]

Hello Jazsnap,

See my blog about upgrading to Windows server 2008 R2:
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mweber/archive/2010/02/06/upgrading-an-active-directory-domain-from-windows-server-2000-to-windows-server-2008-or-windows-server-2008-r2.aspx

If you choose the way above there is no need to go over Windows server 2003.

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
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> We would like to upgrade our servers to Windows server 2008 R2.
> Currently we have two Windows 2000 (SP 4) domain controllers, we want
> to replace the Forest Root Domain box with new hardware & upgrade the
> other DC to server 2008 R2.
>
> I understand it's not possible to upgrade from 2000 straight to 2008
> but is server 2003 still available to ugrade to in between? I'm also
> not sure of what the implications of retiring the Forest Root Domain
> box would be?
>
> Would the best plan be to add the new 2008 server (domain function &
> forest function level: 2000); upgrade the second box to Server 2008 R2
> (via server 2003?); transfer the roles from the FRD box to the others;
> demote the FRD to a member server then finally raise the forest &
> functional levels of the 2 remaining DCs?
>
> Any advice would be greatly received?
>
> Regards,
> Jason