Have standalone exchange server 2k3 running on server 2003.Added New server to that domain.DC promoQuestion: Can I run forest & domain prep on this server so I can demote the exchange server as the primary?

All DC are created equal. If you want to move the FSMO roles off of the Exchange server, look at this document: http://www.petri.co.il/transferring_fsmo_roles.htm Both servers are writeable copies. It is not like NT 4.0 days.

If I've understood correctly, your Exchange Server is currently running on a DC and you have added a new server to the domain have have promoted that as a second DC. Now you want to demote the DC that co-exists with the Exchange Server? Running DCPROMO to demote a DC running on the same server as Exchange is not supported. http://blogs.brnets.com/michael/archive/2005/01/24/319.aspx Tony www.activedir.org

John & TonyI would like to thank you for your comments. Let me further explainExchange2k3 was installed on a standalone server (Not recommended but it was.)A new webserver was installed as a Member server. What would be the suggested plan of attack to get exchange on it's own box letting the New server be the primary DC.I know that all DC's in the forest are equal but some are a little more equal than others.Should I just install a new server for exchange & migrate all on the mailboxes? I only have 40 Users.Then I can reload the old server & set it up as a spare. (Use it for disaster recovery)Thoughts?

Hi Jeneric Sorry, I'm still not clear about your setup. When you say, "Exchange2k3 was installed on a standalone server", what do you mean by "standalone"? Normally, I would expect this to mean a server that is not part of the domain, but Exchange can only be installed on a member server (or a DC). Tony

What I meant by this was:A new server was built. Server was made a DC for the domain. There were no DC's for the domain at this time. Exchange was installed. Move ahead 18mo'sNew webserver is brought online for the domain.==> made a DC in the before mentioned domain.now want this server to be the DC & the exchange server to be only that (a Mail server).Currently when I manage users on the new server none of the Exchange features are on the users when they are created, the exchange features are on the Exchange box but not the new server.I am trying to acheive 1 point of control.Hope this has made it clearer.