Pre- Installation Verification checklist
o Install Windows Server 2008 R2 as Domain Server (1)
o Verify that your Domain and Forest Levels are full Windows Server 2003 and not Mixed or Interim Mode
o Check Domain Schema version using regedit
This version needs to be 44 for 2008 DC and will require upgraded.
o Verify the fsmo roles of all domain controllers. Use netdom /query fsmo to see who holds what roles (you will use this again to verify new roles after promotion of 2008 DC)
o Copy adprep directory from Windows 2008 Server Media to 2003DC (the schema owner and master) as we will use this to prepare the forest and domain for upgrade to 2008 DC.
Preparation of the Active Directory Environment prior to installing a 2008 DC
o Run adprep to prepare 2003 Active Directory environment for 2008. It is a good idea to verify that each of these are completed and replicated before going to the next step. All of these will run on your 2003DC. You can use replmon or repadmin to verify replication. Recommendation is to let set for 24 hours for each command but this might be overkill for some.
o Adprep.exe /forestprep - to verify this go to the registry key above in the Pre-installation list and verify that the Schema version is now 44 on your 2003DC
o Adprep.exe /domainprep
o Adprep.exe /domainprep /gpprep.
o Verify all changes have been made by reviewing event logs and the dcpromo.log and the dcpromoui.log.
Install AD Services on New Windows 2008 DC (DCPROMO)
o Install AD Services
o Install DNS Service
o Make sure to add this server to the existing domain and not as a new DC
o Make the new DC a Global Catalog Server in NTDS Settings in Sites and Services Admin Tool
Transfer FSMO roles to New Windows 2008 DC
o Print out a copy of this Microsoft Tech document to walk through using the schmmgmt.dll for migrating fsmo roles (Installed and registered on Fiona). This is for a 2003 DC but the procedures are the same for 2008 - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324801 . Each role below should be moved to the new DC.
o Schema Master Role
o Domain Naming Master Role
o RID Master/PDC Emulator/Infrastructure Master Roles
This is a checklist my boss wrote up for our migration. I figured it would be nice to share.