Re: Windows 2008 in Existing Domain - Rqmts??
I forgot to comment on domain and forest functional levels.
Domain/Forest functional levels concern only how domain controllers talk
between themselves.
The Windows 2000 mixed mode or Windows 2003 interim mode is only required if
you have Windows NT 4 domain controllers. I repeat, only Windows NT4 Domain
Controllers, but it is irelevant if you have Windows NT 4 member servers. I
stress this because some people are reluctant to raise the domain functional
level to Windows 2000 native mode when they have some (or even only one)
Windows NT 4 computer that is member server or workstation.
Windows 2000 mixed mode domain functional level is the least common
denominator and it does not allow the use of universal groups (because
Windows NT 4 DC's don't know anything about universal groups, they didn't
exist in their time). However, Exchange 2007 requires universal groups and
indeed uses mostly universal groups. That's why the minimum functional level
is Windows 2000 native mode. This mode allows existence of Win 2000 and Win
2003 DC's. When you get rid of all Win 2000 DC's (again DC's, not member
servers), you can raise domain functional level to Windows 2003 mode. You
then get better replication of multivalued attributes and ability to enable
universal group membership caching on the site level. Another concern with
Exchange 2007 is that it must have a Windows 2003 global catalog (GC), (it
cannot use Win 2000 GC). When in all domains in your forest you have only
Win 2003 DC's, you can raise forest functional level to Windows 2003. You
then get ability to form forest trusts (this feature is not available with
Win 2000 DC's). Up until now, I've been avoiding explaining Win 2008
domain/forest functional level. Let's get into it now. As far as forest
functional level is concerned, there's no new features. With domain level,
we have Read Only DC's (RODC). In fact Win2003/2008 DC's work pretty well
together and it's easy to introduce Win 2008 DC's into existing forest. It
requires just a few ADPREP commands. The only thing of concern is RODC, it
must replicate from full Win 2008 DC (cannot replicate from another Win 2008
RODC).
IOW, if you have only Win 2000/2003 DC's, go raise domain functional level
to at least Win 2000 native mode (preferably Win 2003 mode). Also, don't be
shy to introduce Win 2008 DC's (but not on Exchange Server). BTW Exchange
and DC roles don't go together well in any combination, be it Win 2000, 2003
or 2008. The exception is SBS, but that is another story.
Regards, Dush
"Diane" <Diane@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:26397C77-9899-4064-845C-E2416C4DA18C@microsoft.com...
> Hi Dush - Thanks, it does help. We do not have Ex2007 yet - we are
> planning
> the next steps and one question is what OS to use 2008 or 2003 R2. Our
> domain now is not native, so we will need to take that step for the Ex2007
> install.
>
> What would be your opinion on the 2008 vs 2003 R2 question? Our concern
> is
> 2008 has not been around long...
>
> Thanks Again,
>
> Diane
>
>
>
> "Dusko Savatovic" wrote:
>
>> The requirement for Exchange 2007 is that the domain functional level is
>> Windows 2000 native (minimum) or later.
>> But since you already have Exch 2007, your domain functional level is
>> already at that level.
>>
>> So, go ahead and install Win2008 member server without a problem.
>> One problem, that you may encounter is if you use NTBACKUP to backup your
>> Exchange. NTBackup in Win2003 is Exchange aware, while Windows Backup in
>> Win2008 is NOT.
>>
>> HTH Dush
>>
>> "Diane" <Diane@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:6D78588A-B791-4FD8-A1D0-ABF0FD6FDAE4@microsoft.com...
>> > Hello Meinolf and kj -
>> >
>> > My thanks to you both for your replies. One additional questions -
>> > does
>> > the
>> > domain (2000 or 2003) need to be native?
>> >
>> > Thank you again,
>> >
>> > Diane
>> >
>> > "Meinolf Weber" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Hello Diane,
>> >>
>> >> You can add a 2008 member server without any problem to an existing
>> >> domain,
>> >> doesn't matter if 2000 or 2003.
>> >>
>> >> Best regards
>> >>
>> >> Meinolf Weber
>> >> Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
>> >> confers
>> >> no rights.
>> >> ** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
>> >> ** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> > We are looking at putting in Exchange 2007 on a Windows Standard
>> >> > 2008
>> >> > box. The existing environment is a Win2k domain with some Win2003
>> >> > servers. We know the environment needs to be upgraded, however, I
>> >> > have had no luck finding the requirements for putting a 2008 box in
>> >> > an
>> >> > existing domain. Most information I found discusses deployment in
>> >> > a
>> >> > new 2008 domain. I have found the requirements for exchange in an
>> >> > existing domain.
>> >> >
>> >> > Can anyone point me to resources with information on 2008? I
>> >> > called
>> >> > MS pre-sales after much searching myself and all they could offer is
>> >> > they thought the domain had to be 2008. Can someone confirm if this
>> >> > is the case or, if it possible to put a 2008 box in an existing
>> >> > domain? Pointers to resources would be MUCH appreciated.
>> >> >
>> >> > Thank you for all help and guidance.
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>> 