Evaluating Current Master User Domains

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Create a list of existing Windows NT 4.0 master user domains (MUDs) and compare it to the regional domains in your domain design. For each regional domain in your design, decide whether you will deploy a new domain or upgrade of one of your existing MUDs in place.

When upgrading from a Windows NT 4.0 environment to Active Directory, upgrading MUDs in place is the least expensive and most efficient method. Upgrading domains in place has no impact on end users. Migrating users to new domains is a more complicated process that creates additional administrative costs.

Important

• A domain must be in Windows 2000 native mode or operating at the Windows Server 2003 functional level before it can be the target for user migrations from Windows NT 4.0. If you have a large number of backup domain controllers (BDCs) in remote locations or that require hardware upgrades, you might not be able to achieve this in a timely manner. If time is a consideration for your upgrade process, consider performing an in-place upgrade of a different domain, or creating a new domain to be the target of the migration.

If you identified more than one MUD upgrade candidate, you can do one of the following:

• Upgrade the largest MUD and migrate accounts in the remaining MUDs into that MUD.

• Define additional regions for each MUD upgrade candidate and perform an in-place upgrade of each MUD into a corresponding new region. This option involves additional long-term management overhead costs but saves the short-term administrative costs associated with migrating users between domains.

Figure 2.17 shows how Contoso Corporation chose to create their new domain design based on the geographic regions where they do business.

Figure 2.17   Contoso Corporation Proposed Domains