Document Domain Controller Role Assignments

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

As part of your in-place domain upgrade plan, assign the existing Windows NT 4.0–based domain controllers roles that they will assume in the Windows Server 2003 domain after the upgrade is complete. Assign one of the following three roles to Windows NT 4.0–based domain controllers in a Windows Server 2003 domain:

  • Windows Server 2003–based domain controller. Assign the role of Windows Server 2003–based domain controller to any Windows NT 4.0 PDCs and other Windows NT 4.0–based domain controllers that meet the appropriate hardware and software requirements.

  • Rollback server. Assign the role of rollback server in the Windows Server 2003 domain to a Windows NT 4.0 BDC that does not meet the Windows Server 2003 domain controller hardware requirements.

  • Windows Server 2003–based member server. Assign the role of member server in the Windows Server 2003 domain to a Windows NT 4.0–based BDC that does not meet the Windows Server 2003 domain controller hardware requirements.

For more information about the software and hardware requirements for Windows Server 2003–based domain controllers, see "Determine Supported Operating System Upgrades" later in this chapter and "Document the Existing Hardware Configuration" earlier in this chapter.

Create a domain controller assignment table that outlines the roles that you plan to assign to your Windows NT 4.0–based domain controllers in the Windows Server 2003 domain. In this table, list the Windows NT 4.0–based domain controllers in your domain, indicate whether they meet the hardware requirements for Windows Server 2003, and list the role for each domain controller before and after you upgrade the domain, as shown in Figure 8.7.

For a worksheet to assist you in documenting Windows NT 4.0–based domain controller roles, see "Windows NT 4.0 Domain Controller Role Assignment" (DSSUPNT_4.doc) or "Windows NT 4.0 Domain Controller Documentation" (DSSUPNT_5.xls) on the Windows Server 2003 Deployment Kit companion CD (or see "Windows NT 4.0 Domain Controller Role Assignment" or "Windows NT 4.0 Domain Controller Documentation" on the Web at https://www.microsoft.com/reskit).

Figure 8.7   Example of a Windows NT 4.0 Domain Controller Role Assignment Worksheet

Windows NT 4.0 Domain Controller Role Worksheet