Domain rename in windows 2003

[Guest]

I have a windows 2003 domain of blah.domain.com. The pre windows 2000 domain
name was domain.com. I want to change the windows 2003 domain name to match
the pre windows 2000 domain name. I have downloaded the docs from microsoft
and I am starting to read through them, but I want to find out from other
people what kind of a briar patch I am stepping in. Also, if there is an
easier way to accomplish this I would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

 

[Glenn L]

Domain rename procedure is pretty serious surgery on the forest.
Do it only if you absolutely have to. By all means, make sure you have a
fallback plan. (This procedure is new with Windows 2003, few companies have
performed the procedure, and there are likely issues yet to be uncovered.)

If your running Exchange, you must be running Exchange 2003 SP1, or forget
the whole thing.
I have done this procedure in the lab a few times without exchange, and with
only a single domain forest with a single DC.
Its pretty straight forward with a single box domain like that.
I suggest you setup a sand box and get yourself comfortable with the
procedure.

The main caveat is if any DCs fail the procedure, you will need to force
demote that server, perform metadata cleanup, then repromote it.
You will also need to break all trusts and reconfigure them.
Certificate services must essentially be redeployed and all new certs
issued.