How to upgrade Windows 2000 domain controllers to Windows Server 2003

This article discusses how to upgrade Microsoft Windows 2000 domain controllers to Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and how to add new Windows Server 2003 domain controllers to Windows 2000 domains.

Domain and forest inventory

Before you upgrade Windows 2000 domain controllers to Windows Server 2003 or before you add new Windows Server 2003 domain controllers to a Windows 2000 domain, follow these steps:Inventory the clients that access resources in the domain that host Windows Server 2003 domain controllers for compatibility with SMB signing:

Each Windows Server 2003 domain controller enables SMB signing in its local security policy. Make sure that all network clients that use the SMB/CIFS protocol to access shared files and printers in domains that host Windows Server 2003 domain controllers can be configured or upgraded to support SMB signing. If they cannot, temporarily disable SMB signing until updates can be installed or until the clients can be upgraded to newer operating systems that support SMB signing. For information about how to disable SMB signing, see the "To disable SMB signing" section at the end of this step.

More Information : http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=325379#appliesto