| Same here, i grew up with 5.0 and 5.5 and used 5.5 for around 450 users till about 12 months ago when i bit the bullet and upgraded 2 old NT4 domains to a brand new 2003 domain and added a exchange 2003 server to the mix coexisting with 4 x 5.5 servers.
The trust was a doddle, and used Aelita migration tool (still have a full copy that we bought ) to move the users from the old and no good named NT4 domains to the new domain and restructured OU's. This worked with zero impact even while they were still working, and the next logon the new domain was auto in the list and the old domain moved down. it kept thier pofiles and settings a treat (also fully reversable)
Then once that was done, migrated the exchadmin service account to 2003, then moved mailbox's over the wire to the new server, rehomed public folders and the GAL, flicked it to native mode so it removed all traces of 5.5 and links (external mail was always forwaded to a smart host - mailsweeper)
Then simply removed the trusts from the old NT4 - 2003, and flicked that to native too.
SP2 on the exchange and you can now move mailbox's between sites and orgs, its a real dream to work with and administer. infact so good i am struggling for things to do.
I did like NT and 5.5 for what they were, but as you know when exchange bites it bites hard, easy to recover but takes ages. with 2003 you can restore an edb to an offline folder (similar to 2k) and pick out the bits you want then dismount and chuck the rest away if not using backup exec or similar
I chose to avoid 2k, and never really did like it or trust it, it was good in principal but shite in the real world. Never thought i would sing M$ praises but credit where its due they really have done well with 2003, and i think its worth every penny (apart from the CAL rippoff)
I actually have a live 2003 DC and exchange on the web, if you do decide to play around with some spare kit (if you need media let me know) i will give you the details, and you can setup a trust or join the forrest and try and break it to see what you think mate  |