Identify Your Functional Level Scenario

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

After you assess your current environment, identify the functional level scenario — Windows NT 4.0 environment, Windows 2000 mixed-mode environment, Windows 2000 native-mode environment, or new Windows Server 2003 forest — that applies to your organization.

Windows NT 4.0 environment   You have a pure Windows NT 4.0 environment consisting of one or more Windows NT 4.0 PDCs and backup domain controllers (BDCs). You want to upgrade directly to Windows Server 2003 and take advantage of all Windows Server 2003 forest- and domain-level features without deploying any Windows 2000 domain controllers in the environment.

Windows 2000 mixed mode environment   You have a mixed mode Windows 2000 domain that includes both Windows 2000 and Windows NT 4.0–based domain controllers. You want to upgrade to Windows Server 2003 to take advantage of all Windows Server 2003 forest- and domain-level features.

Windows 2000 native mode environment   You have a native mode Windows 2000 domain consisting of only Windows 2000–based domain controllers. You want to upgrade to Windows Server 2003 to take advantage of all Windows Server 2003 forest- and domain-level features.

New Windows Server 2003 forest   You are creating a new Windows Server 2003 forest by installing Active Directory on a Windows Server 2003–based member server. You want to take advantage of all Windows Server 2003 forest- and domain-level features.