how to change domain.local to domain.com

[Mac]

Well I am in a pickle. I was told to setup a new domain
for the company and was told that it would not need to be
public so I setup it like domainname.local Now I am
being told that it needs to be domainname.com Please
tell me this can be done and please include the process
for converting a domainname.local to domainname.com
I have one 2k domain controller/file/dns server (pretty
much does everything) and 1 2k member server and 1 2k3
member/exchange 2k3 server
Thanks in advance.

 

[Drumgod]

Well, you are in a pickle. Lets get the facts straight
first. W2k does NOT allow you to rename you domain. Sorry
Bill Gates...W2K3 DOES allow you to change your domain
name... What I think you would probalby need to do is make
your W2k3 server, your do it all machine and remove the
W2k server from Active directory.

Once you have done that, you should be able to use the
W2k3 server to change your domain name.

I have never done this before, but I know it's possiable
by reading info from microsoft about the new W2k3 server
edition. Sorry i cannot provide you a step by step guide.

Keep in mind that you will have to transfer you 5 FSMO
roles to your new server before you demote the W2k server
and remove it. That is pretty easy, just google it and you
will see.

Well i hope this helps somewhat. At least it's a start in
the right direction.


Drum on...

 

[Scott Harding - MS MVP]

Why are you being told that this needs to be done. You do NOT want your
internal domain name to be the same as any Internet based domain names.
There should be no reason for this as even the users won't even see the
difference on the login screeen. They will just see domainname without the
..something on it. It actually can cause more headaches having your internal
domain name be the same and any real domain name. You can host whatever
domain names you want as far as Exchange is concerned if you run it. Tell us
why you want to do this but really it shouldn't matter....have a look at the
following articles

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;254680

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;285983