Advice on DC - WORRIED !!

[MickMcG]

Hi,

I have been asked to use an old server currently not being used
anymore as a replica DC on a domain with a single DC at the moment.

The first thing I found was that the ’old server’ has the same name as
the DC. It has at one point been the DC for this domain. This can’t be
renamed until I demote the server to a member server. The problem I
have is that both servers are GC servers and if I demote the old
server, will Active Directory assume that the current DC is being
demoted?

Looking for advice on the best way to approach this.

Thanks,
Mick

 

[Tomasz Onyszko [MVP]]

Hi,

I have been asked to use an old server currently not being used
anymore as a replica DC on a domain with a single DC at the moment.

The first thing I found was that the �old server� has the same name as
the DC. It has at one point been the DC for this domain. This can�t be
renamed until I demote the server to a member server. The problem I
have is that both servers are GC servers and if I demote the old
server, will Active Directory assume that the current DC is being
demoted?

If it is not used server You can demote it off-line and then change its
name, bring back on-line to the network and promote it at new DC. To
demote server off-line You can user dcpromo with /forceremoval switch.


If it has the same name as current DC i don't think so that any
information about this old server still exists in AD.

 

[Deji Akomolafe]

I'd suggest that you insert a windows CD and do a complete reinstall,
choosing a new name in the process, then connecting it to the network and
dcpromoing it.

--

Sincerely,
Dèjì Akómöláfé, MCSE+M MCSA+M MCP+I
Microsoft MVP - Directory Services
www.readymaids.com - we know IT
www.akomolafe.com
Do you now realize that Today is the Tomorrow you were worried about
Yesterday? -anon

 

[Enkidu]

Hi,

I have been asked to use an old server currently not being used
anymore as a replica DC on a domain with a single DC at the moment.

The first thing I found was that the ’old server’ has the same name as
the DC. It has at one point been the DC for this domain. This can’t be
renamed until I demote the server to a member server. The problem I
have is that both servers are GC servers and if I demote the old
server, will Active Directory assume that the current DC is being
demoted?

What Thomasz says. If the server has the same name as the DC
it can't be taking part in any Active Directory replication
and so on. Hence removing the GC from the old server would
not affect the new one.

But, just to clarify, this server can't be on-line, surely?
If it is, it can't really have the same name?

If it is not on-line and isn't being used for anything else,
why not wipe it and start from scratch?

Cheers,

Cliff

 

[Tomasz Onyszko [MVP]]

I'd suggest that you insert a windows CD and do a complete reinstall,
choosing a new name in the process, then connecting it to the network and
dcpromoing it.

Of course You are right Deji - building this machine from the scratch is
best solution