How can i change the domain controller name

[Maged N. Roshdy]

Hi
i have win2000 domain , for that domain i have 2 domain
controller , one of them its name is verry long , i want
to change the server name of it but i cant because its a
domain controller , but i have another domain controller ,
so is there another way to rename it instide of formatting
it , i'll appreciate any help

thanks

Maged

 

[Richard Moreno]

Maged-

You can run DCPROMO to demote one of your DCs to a member server where you
can then rename the server. Be sure that you have all your FSMO (Operations
Master) roles on the other DC prior to doing this and that all information
has been replicated. After renaming your member server and rebooting you can
then run DCPROMO again to promote it back to a DC. Be sure to transfer your
FSMO roles again for load balancing, check your GC's (if applicable),
replication, and site topology afterwords.

Thanks
Richard Moreno

 

[Tim Singleton]

-----Original Message-----
Hi
i have win2000 domain , for that domain i have 2 domain
controller , one of them its name is verry long , i want
to change the server name of it but i cant because its a
domain controller , but i have another domain controller ,
so is there another way to rename it instide of formatting
it , i'll appreciate any help

thanks

Maged
.

Start > Run > dcpromo
This will bring up the wizard that promotes/demotes a
server to and from Domain Controller status. Demote it,
change the name, promote it back again.

You'll have to go through re-setting up all the AD
services it hosts again, though.

Tim

 

[Maged N. Roshdy]

hi
i cant make dcpromo because every time i run that program
it gives me message speak about replication and somthing
like that so what is the steps excactly , and when i do
this i 'll distroy the ad on the other domain controller
or it will kept , any way the one that i want to rename is
new i have just configure it

Thanks

 

[Jimmy Andersson [MVP]]

Not possible in W2K unless you first demote it to a member server and rename
it. Then promote it to a DC again, be sure to have at least one additional
DC online otherwise you loose your entire domain.
Or if you have the possibility to upgrade to W2K3 where you can rename a
DC...

Regards,
/Jimmy

 

[Richard Moreno]

Hi-

The 1st thing you want to do is make sure you transfer all Operations master
roles to the another DC. Refer to MS documentation on this. There are 5
roles (PDC Emulator, Infrastructure, RID, Schema, and Domain Naming). Also
check your GC status via the Sites and Services MMC. After all this then
reattempt your DCPROMO on the problematic server. If that fails, you can try
using NTDSUTIL for demotion and\or manual cleanup of the DC you want to
rename. Refer to MS documenation.

Thanks
Richard