Develop a Test Plan for Your Domain Upgrade Process

Applies To: Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2

It is important to develop a plan for testing your domain upgrade procedures throughout the upgrade process. Before you begin, test your existing domain controllers to ensure that they are functioning properly. Continue to test your domain controllers throughout the process to verify that Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) replication is consistent and successful.

The following table lists the tools and log files to use in your test plan. For more information about installing tools to test domain controllers, see How to Administer Microsoft Windows Client and Server Computers Locally and Remotely (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=177813).

Tool/log file	Description	Location
Repadmin.exe	Checks replication consistency and monitors both inbound and outbound replication partners. Displays replication status of inbound replication partners and directory partitions.	%systemroot%\Windows\System32 Note This tool is added to the server as part of the AD DS installation.
Dcdiag.exe	Diagnoses the state of domain controllers in a forest or enterprise, tests for successful Active Directory connectivity and functionality, and returns the results as passed or failed.	%systemroot%\Windows\System32 Note This tool is added to the server as part of the AD DS installation.
Nltest.exe	Queries and checks the status of trusts and can forcibly shut down domain controllers. Provides domain controller location capabilities.	%systemroot%\Windows\System32 Note This tool is added to the server as part of the AD DS installation.
Dnscmd.exe	Provides the properties of Domain Name System (DNS) servers, zones, and resource records.	%systemroot%\Windows\System32 Note This tool is added to the server as part of the AD DS installation.
Adprep.log	Provides a detailed progress report of the forest and domain preparation process.	%SystemRoot%\Windows\Debug\ADPrep\Logs
Dcpromoui.log and Dcpromo.log	Provides a detailed progress report of the Active Directory installation. Includes information regarding replication and services in addition to applicable error messages.	%systemroot%\Windows\debug Note These logs are added to the server as part of the AD DS installation.
Adsiedit.exe	A Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in that acts as a low-level editor for AD DS and allows you to view, add, delete, and move objects and attributes within the directory.	%systemroot%\Windows\System32 Note This tool is added to the server as part of the AD DS installation.

For more information about support tools for Windows, see Help and Support for Windows Server 2008.