Win2K Advanced Server Maint. & fresh install

[Steve]

I need to bring down my Server for repair and upgrade. It
will get a new drive and I want to do a fresh install of
the OS. It is the first serever in the domain, hence it is
the Domain root server. It has been suggested that I set
up a second server, DCPROMO it to make it a replica DC on
the domain, and then transfer the FSMO roles and global
catalog duties. Then demote the old one and rebuild it.
Any suggestions or advice on this would be of help. I have
the additional hardware available to me to do this.
However I have never attempted to set up a replica DC or
transfer FSMO roles and global catalog duties.

Thanks

 

[Danny Sanders]

See:
HOW TO: View and Transfer FSMO Roles in the Graphical User Interface

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;255690

Flexible Single Master Operation Transfer and Seizure Process

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;223787

FSMO Placement and Optimization on Windows 2000 Domain Controllers

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;223346

How to: Create or Move a Global Catalog in Windows 2000

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;313994





It has been suggested that I set

up a second server, DCPROMO it to make it a replica DC on
the domain, and then transfer the FSMO roles and global

This is a MUST do in order to maintain the domain and not have to join your
users to a new domain when you rebuild the server. All the user/ domain info
will be replicated to the second server preserving the domain. If you do a
fresh install on your original server without adding a second DC first you
will be creating a new domain. You will have to set up the users, deal with
new profiles etc.



You might also want to set up DNS on the second DC. Set the DNS zone as AD
Integrated, let the DNS zone replicate to the new server. You will then need
to point all AD clients to the new DNS server while you redo your first
server.



hth

DDS W 2k MVP MCSE