Replacing a file server, will links break?

I'd like to replace a file server we use (actually a couple of them) because it's a 2003 server. I'd prefer to have 2008r2, because I can expand disk volumes on the fly.

My question is, can I take down server 1 (2003) and replace it with server 2 (2008r2) using the exact same computer name and having the exact same shares mapped (if I move the disk with it in a P2V conversion)? Will this break everybody's links the have mapped to the shares? I'd rather not do it if it's going to break links. Is there a better way to do this that I'm not thinking of?

Thanks.

Answer

Here are the assumptions I am making for the answer I will provide at the end.

Assumptions:

1. Your Windows 2003 Server is a member of an Active Directory Domain


2. Your new Windows 2008 R2 Server will be a member of the same Active Directory Domain


3. You will be doing the "swap" during off hours when you can ensure no one is connecting to the servers


4. You will assign the exact same IP Address to the new Server


5. You will recreate all the shares with the exact same share names are before

Answer:

Replacing the old 2003 server with a 2008 R2 server using the same name and then attaching the data disk will work without breaking any mapped drives.