2008R2 Domain with 2008 domain functionality and inplementing a 2003 member server
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Thursday, January 03, 2013 8:58 PM
Is it a bad idea to implement a windows 2003 server into a pure Windows Server 2008R2 Domain forest with the functionality level set to 2008R2?
We have some Windows 2003 server licenses and I may be in need of using them, but am unsure on any issues that might occur. The Windows 2003 Server will act as nothing more than a member server with perhaps a few applications to allow remote users access too. I recall hearing that some Windows 2008 specific group policies wont apply to Windows 2003 servers.
All Replies
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Thursday, January 03, 2013 10:30 PM It's no problem or issues to add Windows 2003 servers to a 2008R2 domain.
- Marked As Answer by Yan Li_Microsoft Contingent Staff, Moderator Friday, January 04, 2013 2:25 AM
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Friday, January 04, 2013 12:37 AM
If your current domain functional level is 2008 then you can not promote 2003 domain controllers.
You can join them as member servers to the domain just fine. No issue applying the GPO's.
Also check out this thread: http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/winserverGP/thread/17142155-2a77-4da8-aebd-9b8d2737153f/
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- Edited by Marius EneMVP Friday, January 04, 2013 12:37 AM
- Marked As Answer by Yan Li_Microsoft Contingent Staff, Moderator Friday, January 04, 2013 2:25 AM
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Friday, January 04, 2013 2:29 AMModerator
Hi,
Functional levels determine the available Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) domain or forest capabilities. They also determine which Windows Server operating systems you can run on domain controllers in the domain or forest. However, functional levels do not affect which operating systems you can run on workstations and member servers that are joined to the domain
Once your FFL is 2008R2 you can not add 2003/2008 Domain controllers to it, only 2008 R2. Member servers that run 2003 will have no problem in domain with FFL of 2008 R2.
Understanding AD functional levels: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/understanding-active-directory-functional-levels(v=ws.10).aspx
Regards,
Yan Li
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Cataleya Li
TechNet Community Support
- Marked As Answer by Yan Li_Microsoft Contingent Staff, Moderator Monday, January 07, 2013 5:55 AM
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