How can I transfer files between two windows 2003 servers?

Question

I am very new to this. So please forgive me if I have my terminology wrong.

We have a network at work that runs using a windows 2003 server that designates different drives for our network to the workstations. The problem is that our IT tech bought a new 2003 server about 3 years ago that has never been setup. It just sat there. Now we have let our IT tech go and now I have been asked to get the new server running because we need more hard drive space.

The network drives we use now have an incredible amount of data on them. I want to set up the new server and transfer those netowrk drives to the new server. But I can't get the two servers on the same network to transfer files over becuase the domain controller on the new server cannot be changed.

I don't understand a lot about dhcp servers but I'm learning quickly. Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

Answer 1

Make sure both computers are on the same subnet (first) this will allow both to share files between them. Next try a simple ping test to make sure you can reach it. Then you can either create a network share on the host (or target) computer and proceed to copy files between them. This is done by typing in a network path to the network share (\\target_computer\share for instance).

Answer 2

Despite being on different domains, the servers should still be able to talk over the network. Get the IP address from both servers (type in "ipconfig /all" in a command prompt). If a sever is a DC like you said, it will have a static IP address. This is probably the root of your issue. I suspect the servers are either on a different subnet, connecting to different gateways, or connecting to gateways that don't exist.



Once you know the IP address and know their network properties are identical (except for IP of course), ping the servers from each other.



Let's say your data is on a server called Server1 and you want to transfer it to your server called Server2. On Server1, open a run window (Start > Run) and type in "\\[IP of Server2]\c$" without the quotes. It will look something like "\\192.168.99.2\c$". You will have to enter credentials for that server. Once in, you have access to the C drive and you can copy over whatever you need. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

If you are new to networking and servers, then there are about a million configuration options you'll need to go through to make sure that your servers are set up correctly.



I am always afraid of people that answer questions blindly without taking into consideration that clearly you are a novice, and you might skip a step now, that will end up costing you plenty in the future.



My suggestions is to please get a network person to come setup your server correctly and transfer your data for you.



And perhaps he will let you shadow him during the process and give you tips of what to look out for in terms of maintaining your system.

Answer 4

"the domain controller on the new server cannot be changed" but i suppose if its lying idle without any data on it you can format it and reinstall the OS as well as make it another domain controller but running as a file server instead. I hope he left the OS documentation too for that server.