Assess Your Current Environment

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Assess your current environment by identifying the domains in your forest, the domain controllers that are located in each domain, the operating system that each domain controller is running, and the date that you plan to upgrade the domain controller. If you plan to retire a domain controller, document the reasons for this decision.

Circumstances that might prevent you from upgrading an earlier version of the Windows operating system and enabling the Windows Server 2003 functional level include:

• Insufficient hardware

• A domain controller running an antivirus program that is incompatible with Windows Server 2003

• Use of a version-specific program that does not run on Windows Server 2003

• The need to perform a Service Pack upgrade

Documenting this information will help you identify the steps that are required for you to achieve a fully functional Windows Server 2003 environment.

For a worksheet to assist you in assessing your current environment, see "Domain Controller Assessment" (DSSPFL_1.doc) on the Microsoft® Windows® Server 2003 Deployment Kit companion CD (or see "Domain Controller Assessment" on the Web at https://www.microsoft.com/reskit). Complete a separate worksheet for each domain, regardless of your forest structure.

Figure 5.3 shows an example of a completed worksheet for a domain assessment.

Figure 5.3   Example of a Domain Controller Assessment Worksheet