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UPromote : Promote your NT Server to a Domain Controller

UPromote is the only software utility that can promote your NT server to an NT domain controller without re-installing the operating system.

Don't make the wrong choice

When you installed Windows NT Server, you were asked if you wanted to create a a domain controller (DC).  Your choice was permanent.  If you declined, you could never create one later (Q193219).

With UPromote you can:

• Change a standalone NT server to a Primary Domain Controller (PDC).  
• Change a Primary Domain Controller to a standalone NT server.  
• Change a standalone NT server to a Backup Domain Controller (BDC).  
• Change a Backup Domain Controller to a standalone NT server.  

What is a Domain Controller?

A domain controller puts all of your passwords in a central database.  When a user logs on to a desktop PC, it consults the domain controller to verify your password.  

A small organisation starts with a workgroup, a collection of machines that can share files and a printer.   A domain is a larger collection of computers where access to files and printers is controlled by the domain controller.   A domain has exactly one primary domain controller and optionally one or more backup domain controllers.

Don't get bitten

Only UPromote can rescue you from a difficult dilemma: You need a DC but you already installed Windows NT Server without it.   What do you do?   Do you waste days of downtime while you re-install everything, or do you spend thousands of dollars on another computer?

How It Works

UPromote works by updating the system registry.  To create a PDC it converts all local user accounts to global user accounts.  To create a BDC it copies the user accounts from the PDC and then synchronizes the Security Identifier (SID) to match the PDC.  To create a standalone server it converts all global user accounts to local user accounts.  It does not modify any EXE or DLL files.  

For technical details see UPromote Operation.  

Safe to Use

UPromote has been thoroughly tested and is safe to use.  The result is indistinguishable from a domain controller created using the Microsoft setup procedure.  As an added precaution, it backs up your entire registry.  This allows for easy recovery.  

Any domain controller created with UPromote can be safely upgraded to Windows 2000 Server.  

UPromote has been used to promote/demote NT servers at hundreds of businesses and colleges, including many Fortune 500 companies.  

See our list of satisfied users.

Benefits

• Save days of downtime.  
• Lose none of your applications or preferences.  
• Create new BDCs.  
• Demote a DC to a Standalone Server.  
• Move a BDC to another domain.  
• Add or remove a BDC in a Windows 2000 domain.  

For More Information

For more information, see the list of Frequently Asked Questions

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