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423
255 pts.
 Exchange 2003 on windows server 2003 having windows server 2008 root DC
Exchange 2003, ForestPrep, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008
I want to install the Exchange 2003 on windows server 2003. The problem is I am having windows server 2008 Domain controller as root DC. I am wondering if this configuration being supported by Microsoft?

I tried to run forestprep on windows server 2008 but was unable to run. I am getting the error as specified module couldnot be found.

 

Any answer to this would be highly appreciated.



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ASKED: August 21, 2009  7:51 AM
UPDATED: August 26, 2009  3:38 PM
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When we upgraded to Exchange 2007 our DCs were 2003 servers. We have since updated our DCs to 2008 with no problem running Exchange 2007 so this does work. I would get on the phone with Microsoft for support if you cannot get this to install.
Last Wiki Answer Submitted:  August 24, 2009  1:18 pm  by  423   255 pts.
All Answer Wiki Contributors:  423   255 pts. , Technochic   56,975 pts.
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Thanks for your feedback. The problem is running the forestprep on Windows server 2008 DC. As in our case the root DC is windows server 2008. And we want to install exchange server 2003 and not exchange server 2007.

admin
 0 pts.
 

If forestprep doesn’t work, does domainprep give you the same problem?

mshen
 27,310 pts.
 

I tried running the forestprep and domainprep on the member server with enterprise admin credentials and I could install the exchange server 2003. Everything looks running fine without any issues.

However, if we go by the concepts, it says the forestprep has to be run on root DC. But in my case as above its violating the concept of running forestprep on root DC.

423
 255 pts.
 

If you have a 2008 as the root of your forest, and you joined your 2003 servers to this network, your forest (I will assume only one domain) and domain will already have the lastest schema and there is no need to try running adprep

You can check the schema version in the registery HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemCurrentControlSetServicesNTDSParametersSchema-Version and 44 would be Server 2008 RC.

Dwiebesick
 2,220 pts.
 

I checked the same and its showing 44 as the schema version. However, the schema related to Exchange server 2003 also gets modified even though we have Windows server 2008 as Root DC.We can see some new tabs added for user properties specific to exchange server.

By not running adprep you mean not running the forestprep and only running domainprep on the member server?

I will try that as well on some other test server which I have.

423
 255 pts.
 

There is only one schema, so yes when you look at your exchange it should have the NEW schema, as it is applied at forest level. You cannot have different schemas in forest that is why for the 5 FSMO there is only one and only one schema master. You will never have two schema masters in a forest nor can you ever have different schema in an organization. If you try, you will have very bad experiences.

Dwiebesick
 2,220 pts.