Upgrade Existing Windows 2000-Based Domain Controllers

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

When you upgrade the operating system on a Windows 2000–based domain controller to Windows Server 2003, the computer immediately assumes the role of domain controller after the final restart of the computer. It is not necessary to install Active Directory by using the Active Directory Installation Wizard. Upgrade the following existing Windows 2000–based domain controllers early in the upgrade process:

  • The Windows 2000–based domain controller that holds the role of the domain naming master. This will ensure the creation of application directory partitions that will later be used for DNS. If you choose not to upgrade the domain naming master, you must transfer the role of the domain naming master to a Windows Server 2003 domain controller.

    When a domain controller running the DNS Server service restarts for the first time after the operating system has been upgraded to Windows Server 2003, it will try to subscribe to existing application directory partitions or create them if it does not detect them. If the domain naming master is not a Windows Server 2003–based domain controller, the creation of the application directory partitions will fail and errors will be generated.

  • The Windows 2000–based domain controller that holds the PDC emulator role in the forest root domain. This will ensure that additional security principals are created for the forest. For more information about the additional security principals that are created after the PDC emulator in the forest root domain is upgraded, see "Background Information for Upgrading Windows 2000 Domains to Windows Server 2003 Domains" earlier in this chapter.

  • All other Windows 2000–based domain controllers that hold the PDC emulator role. This will ensure that all new Windows Server 2003 groups and group memberships are created. If you choose not to upgrade the PDC emulator for each domain, you must transfer the PDC role to a Windows Server 2003–based domain controller.

To initiate the installation of the operating system on a domain controller, insert the Windows Server 2003 operating system CD on the domain controller, or, if the Windows Server 2003 media are shared over the network, run the Winnt32.exe command-line tool.

You can also perform an unattended installation of Windows Server 2003. Instructions for creating an answer file for an Active Directory installation are located in the Deploy.cab file in the Support\Tools folder on the Windows Server 2003 operating system CD. Inside the Deploy.cab file, open Ref.chm to access the Unattend.txt file. Expand Unattend.txt in the left pane, and then click DCInstall.