decommission one of the DC

[gbkhor]

hi All

I'm running Win2003 R2 DC

I have four DC (same domain) at different location.

question: I have one location going to closed down and I wish to
decommission that DC, pls advice how to perform it and ensure it doesn't
impact existing DC

thanks a lot

 

[Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]]

Hello gbkhor,

See here about:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc755937.aspx

Before starting with demoting it run the support tools dcdiag /v, netdiag
/v and repadmin /showrepl to check for errors. If not done you have to install
the support\tools\suptools.msi from the 2003 installation disk.

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
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** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
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[gbkhor]

Hi Meinolf

Just like to double confirm, it will only remove all AD and related
component and return THAT DC to become a member server and other existing DC
that under the same Domain will be still working.

As i wish to decom only ONE particular DC server and like to remain the
reset DC that under the same forest and tree

thanks a lot

 

[Ace Fekay [Microsoft Certified Trainer]]

Hi Meinolf

Just like to double confirm, it will only remove all AD and related
component and return THAT DC to become a member server and other existing
DC that under the same Domain will be still working.

As i wish to decom only ONE particular DC server and like to remain the
reset DC that under the same forest and tree

thanks a lot

The dcpromo utility will remove Active Directory services from a domain
controller making it a member server and no longer participate in AD
services, replication, user accounts, or anythihng else associated with a
domain. It will not impact the current domain other than reducing the DC
count to minus one DC. If WINS is on it, and you have WINS at the corp
location, and they are set to replication partners, first remove the
partnership.

If any machines in any other location other than the location being
decommissioned is using that DC as a DNS server for any reason, remove it
from their config.

Also, when you demote a machine, if it is holding any FSMO roles, it will
automatically seek another DC to move that role. If that DC it chose is not
the DC you want to hold that role, manually transfer the role first. My
feeling is if it was a DC put in after the fact, then it probably doesn't
hold any roles.

If it was a GC, no problem. You can manually remove that service, or dcpromo
during demotion, will remove the service anyway.

I hope that helps.

--
Ace

This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and
confers no rights.

Ace Fekay, MCSE 2003 & 2000, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCSA Messaging, MCT
Microsoft Certified Trainer
(e-mail address removed)

For urgent issues, you may want to contact Microsoft PSS directly. Please
check http://support.microsoft.com for regional support phone numbers.

"Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right
things." - Peter F. Drucker
http://twitter.com/acefekay

 

[Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]]

Hello gbkhor,

Yes, it only removes AD from the server where you run dcpromo, not from other
Domain controllers. A domain will be removed if you run dcpromo on the last
existing DC in a domain.

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights.
** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

 

[Paul Bergson [MVP-DS]]

I have an article on this check out Decommissioning a DC at:
http://www.pbbergs.com/windows/articles.htm

--
Paul Bergson
MVP - Directory Services
MCTS, MCT, MCSE, MCSA, Security+, BS CSci
2008, 2003, 2000 (Early Achiever), NT4

http://www.pbbergs.com

Please no e-mails, any questions should be posted in the NewsGroup This
posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[gbkhor]

Thanks a lot Meinolf

Hello gbkhor,

Yes, it only removes AD from the server where you run dcpromo, not from
other Domain controllers. A domain will be removed if you run dcpromo on
the last existing DC in a domain.

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
confers no rights.
** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

 

[gbkhor]

Thanks a lot Ace

The dcpromo utility will remove Active Directory services from a domain
controller making it a member server and no longer participate in AD
services, replication, user accounts, or anythihng else associated with a
domain. It will not impact the current domain other than reducing the DC
count to minus one DC. If WINS is on it, and you have WINS at the corp
location, and they are set to replication partners, first remove the
partnership.

If any machines in any other location other than the location being
decommissioned is using that DC as a DNS server for any reason, remove it
from their config.

Also, when you demote a machine, if it is holding any FSMO roles, it will
automatically seek another DC to move that role. If that DC it chose is
not the DC you want to hold that role, manually transfer the role first.
My feeling is if it was a DC put in after the fact, then it probably
doesn't hold any roles.

If it was a GC, no problem. You can manually remove that service, or
dcpromo during demotion, will remove the service anyway.

I hope that helps.

--
Ace

This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and
confers no rights.

Ace Fekay, MCSE 2003 & 2000, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCSA Messaging, MCT
Microsoft Certified Trainer
(e-mail address removed)

For urgent issues, you may want to contact Microsoft PSS directly. Please
check http://support.microsoft.com for regional support phone numbers.

"Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right
things." - Peter F. Drucker
http://twitter.com/acefekay

 

[Ace Fekay [Microsoft Certified Trainer]]

Thanks a lot Ace

You are welcome!