New DNS server

[Cody Lewis]

I have 2 DNS servers (DCs) to replace and would like some opinions on
strategy. They are AD integrated DNS. Clients are static ip configured.
Domain is 2003, DNS servers are 2000 DCs, new servers are 2003 DCs. (I am
upgrading the domain to 2003)

I really do not want to touch client machines. So I would like to bring DNS
up on new 2003 servers, swap the IP addresses of the old DNS and the new DNS.
Am I missing anything? Is there a better strategy? I know I know...DHCP.
Any guidance you guys may have would be appreciated.

I found a few articles http://support.microsoft.com/kb/323383 on replacing
primary DNS servers, but that doesn’t apply in an AD integrated situation
right?

Thanks

Cody

 

[Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]]

Hello Cody,

If youre clients use more then one DNS on the NIC it can be done also with
using the ip address on the new server.

You can demote and remove the first of the 2000 DC/DNS server and after replication
to all other DC's and checking the DNS zones to remove the old existing entries,
deleting the old DC in AD sites and services. Now you can install and add
a 2003 server to the domain and promote it to DC make it DNS server and wait
until replication has done.

Other way is to change the ip address on one of the 2000 DC/DNS servers to
a free one, run ipconfig /registerdns and restart the netlogon service. Now
also check the replication. If everything is fine you can use one of the
new servers with the free ip address, install and add it to the domain and
promote it to DC make it DNS server and wait until replication has done.

Same for the second one. After every step check replication of all infos
to all DNS servers. Also before starting run support tools dcdiag, netdiag
and repadmin /showrepl to make sure your domain is healthy.

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
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[Cody Lewis]

Thanks for the response. Is your concern changing the IP of the DC? Not the
fact that its a DNS server? Demoting the DC in your response is why I ask.
The 2003 Servers are already DCs. I think your second solution is the one I
had in mind, except the 2k3 servers are already DCs.

 

[Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]]

Hello Cody,

If the new servers already DC's, install DNS on them, wait for replication
of the complete DNS zones and then change the ip address from the old DNS
server's to a free one, run ipconfig /registerdns and restart the netlogon
service, if all is changed/replicated, do the same for the first new DC/DNS
with the now old free ip address.

If the clients still work after the change, what shouldn't be a problem in
my opinion, you can start demoting the old 2000 machines.

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

 

[Cody Lewis]

perfect thanks

Hello Cody,

If the new servers already DC's, install DNS on them, wait for replication
of the complete DNS zones and then change the ip address from the old DNS
server's to a free one, run ipconfig /registerdns and restart the netlogon
service, if all is changed/replicated, do the same for the first new DC/DNS
with the now old free ip address.

If the clients still work after the change, what shouldn't be a problem in
my opinion, you can start demoting the old 2000 machines.

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