NetWare to Windows Server 2008 R2 Migration Checklist

Article
07/02/2012

Updated: September 15, 2010

Applies To: Windows Server 2008 R2

You can refer to this checklist for a quick guide to preparing and performing a migration. For details about migration steps, see “NetWare Migration Preparation Details,” “Outline of Migration Steps,” and the step-by-step sections earlier in this document.

Analyze and Evaluate Existing Environment Phase

Perform an IT infrastructure analysis of the following:

□	LAN and WAN links
□	Namespace design issues
□	Workstations
□	Servers

Evaluate mail system migration strategy

□	Plan mail system migration as separate project

Identify network components and systems to be migrated

□	Diagram and identify all network components, including hardware and software
□	Identify all types of information stored on the network, including its owners, users, locations, and associated security settings
□	Identify all Novell services-dependent software
□	Determine the systems and version(s) of NetWare to be migrated
□	Review WAN/LAN links and their available bandwidth
□	Plan for future hardware, software, and network bandwidth needs
□	Analyze the current and future namespace design

Planning the Migration (Deployment) Phase

Create a migration plan and test lab

□	Familiarize yourself with one-way and two-way synchronization
□	Familiarize yourself with MSDSS functionality
□	Create an overall migration plan to be tested in the lab
□	Determine tests to be performed
□	Determine expected test results
□	Determine tools used to perform tests
□	Determine the success criteria for tests
□	Create a test lab for design and migration testing

Perform a test migration

□	Perform a test migration from NetWare to Windows Server 2008 R2 (with Windows Server 2008 R2 operating at a Windows Server 2003 functional level)
□	Document any additional notes
□	Review and adjust migration plans as appropriate
□	Repeat a test migration to hone the process if necessary
□	Modify namespace design if necessary
□	Evaluate custom directory object mapping (optional)
□	Acquire new hardware and software (if necessary)
□	Install MSDSS on the Windows Server 2003 R2 domain controller
□	Choose a direct or staged (phased) migration
□	Identify containers and servers to migrate or synchronize
□	Calculate the required number of migration sessions and servers

Develop a recovery plan

□	Determine steps needed to recover
□	All team members review and sign-off on recovery plan

Pre-Migration Phase

Pre-migration steps

□	Identify and obtain administrator accounts with sufficient permissions to successfully complete the migration
□	Decide who the migration administrators are
□	Recruit a pilot group (optional)
□	Educate users
□	Back up and test restore the NetWare system and user data
□	Create an Active Directory OU for holding the NetWare directory information (create as many OUs as necessary)
□	Install and configure a Windows Server 2008 R2 domain controller
□	Create a Windows Server 2008 R2 forest, and configure Active Directory at the Windows Server 2003 functional level
□	Configure a Windows Server 2003 R2 SP2 virtual machine as an additional domain controller
□	Install the Novell Client for Windows on the Windows Server 2003 functional domain
□	Install MSDSS on the Windows Server 2003 functional domain
□	Pre-migration steps are complete, continue to either direct migration or staged (phased) migration steps

Direct Migration Steps

□	Follow the step-by-step instructions to migrate user accounts
□	Follow the step-by-step instructions to migrate the file system
□	Manually migrate other objects
□	Replace Novell-dependent software
□	Uninstall Novell NetWare Client for Windows from workstations
□	(Recommended) Upgrade NetWare workstations to Windows 7
□	Configure all client computers to join the Windows Server 2003 functional domain
□	Remove the Windows Server 2003 R2 computer as the domain controller
□	Change the functional level of the forest to Windows Server 2008 R2
□	Decommission NetWare server(s)

Staged (Phased) Migration Steps

Beginning a staged migration

□	Log on to the NDS tree or Bindery server with administrative credentials
□	Log on to the appropriate Windows Server 2003 functional domain
□	Print out MSDSS help topics
□	Re-familiarize yourself with directory synchronization methods
□	Start MSDSS, and configure one-way or two-way synchronization

Completing a staged migration

□	Install and configure File and Print Services for NetWare (optional)
□	Replace software dependent on Novell services
□	Migrate the pilot group of users and their files (optional)
□	Manually migrate other objects
□	Migrate the rest of the user accounts and their files as appropriate
□	Uninstall Novell NetWare Client for Windows from workstations
□	(Recommended) Upgrade NetWare workstations to Windows 7
□	Configure all client computers to join the Windows Server 2003 functional domain
□	Remove the computer running Windows Server 2003 R2 as the domain controller
□	Change the functional level of the forest to Windows Server 2008 R2
□	Decommission the NetWare server(s)