Embracing Windows Server 2003

For the Raycom Media, a key application will be decided the introduction of new operating systems: Exchange Server 2003.

The companys 30 radio and television stations across the United States, in 2000 and employees, exchanges are mission-critical applications.

Compelling new features in Exchange 2003 cemented the decision from the Exchange 5.5, and therefore well-off Windows NT 4.0.

Upchurch Jim is the manager of system management, and for the Raycom, headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama. Upchurch Windows Server 2003 rollout, which actually began in the autumn of 2001, as Windows 2000 spreading, migration, involving all 30 local TV stations the United States The site includes 13 Exchange servers, Box 2000, and 110 servers fill other roles. Laying consolidate 25 enterprises from NT domain, and four peer-to-peer working group a single merger of the Windows 2003 domain.

Immigrants boogie immigrants take two steps, first of all, is a 18-month process This proved to be the most difficult, but the most crucial, the first part: consolidation domain and all work composed of a single NT domain. The The second step, in situ upgrading to Windows NT domain in 2003 Active Directory domain, and is so easy. Domain integration spent 18 months - not because of its complexity, but because of the logistics upchurch and his team facing difficulties in traveling to each 30 locations while still maintaining the support Montgomery duties.

Although time, in the consolidation of the First "is the most This significant decision, we have put forward," upchurch said, and save a lot of time later. He described a migration planning phase, which is lengthy and criticism, and included in the discussion on both sides for a long time integration and multi-domain forest, and through general manager organizational units (ous). But from his upchurch achieve reuse readings indicated that they would like to keep things as simple possible, so they decided in a single area. , "All the sources said, the key is to use as one of a few areas, you can be cancelled One possible. Therefore, we do not have. " Upchurch is proud of the fact that they were all immigrants without third-party tools. , "All the case studies, I reading on third-party tools," upchurch said that even if Microsoft advisory services on behalf of their appeal in In "br>, bidding for the plan to use third-party tools . Ultimately, they refused this service, because the cost is too expensive, and embark on their own.

Almost at the last minute, they still plan to move win2k, Windows 2003 shipped. "Is a big gulp and decided to With it," said upchurch.

Windows 2003 provides a compelling reason to skip win2k, including the provision of better management tools for ad hoc - tools proved important, but now, his direct management, 2000 the user accounts. He also predicted that win2k to short life than NT long life.

Gradually, over a year and a half, or his assistant upchurch visit each site. And the help of the management staff from the station, many mainly broadcast engineers, all stations were moving to a single domain. Most of the sites are about 100 seats, while the largest 250 people. According to NT, four sites were peer-to-peer working group remaining also have their own domain names, because at that time the company headquarters. Relationship of trust connected These areas include Exchange Server remaining is independent.

Before they visit each site, the research team also upchurch installation and use of configuration backup area, and the consolidation of domain. Make the next step, the upgrade to Windows 2003, "incredibly easy," said upchurch.

It help the company to purchase a new Dell PowerEdge server for each site, along with the operating system permits. Allow upchurch the server designated as the sites domain name controller (DC), free from any file server, print server or application server duties. The ad hoc approach days as ad hoc start date approaching, upchurch the installation of a new desktop computers at the companys headquarters, and then, as he described "This is a completely new clean - MOP 4.0 backup domain controller for the consolidated domain, and that we are promoted simply be the main domain controller areas.

Then, we have put in place upgraded to Windows Server 2003, simple system in the Windows Server 2003 mixed domain. We then dcpromoed two new Windows 2003 server, transfer fsmo role for them, dcpromoed before the PDC down to a member server, remove it from the network, and shipped off to do other things "the whole process of work fell out of power, upchurch recall, spent only a few hours.

At the beginning, the relocation of 100 workstations television stations another domain, including user accounts, mailboxes, servers, user-configurable, multi-nearly 12 hours. As the upchurch team development process, that is down to five years or so hours stability of the team. His purpose in each station: Make migration as invisible as possible from the users point of view Show, and completed it in a single overnight visit to business without interruption.

Not because of the lack of information One of the challenges they have faced: a lot of information on the Windows 2003, but also did not become a Microsoft Knowledge Base. Sometimes the answer is that win2k, he more often than not, believe that if they can extrapolation to Windows 2003 or not.

Upchurch views, in retrospect: Do not be scared off by the huge planning, the relocation of all the books, it seems Recommended. "If you are already familiar with your network, and experienced with NT and exchange, you must have the plan, but do not think you have to spend the next three years [technology]" tomorrow we Introduction Canadas companies in progress, cautious efforts to explore new platform, its real mission-critical 24 x7 environment.