NT4 BDC Removal

[David Grenkevich]

This is a pretty easy question, but I can't find the answer in writing. And
I like everything in writing.

The situation before me is a Win2000 AD running along just fine, with one
domain controller holding all the FSMO roles and another domain controller
serving as a backup.

Also sitting out on the network are two old NT 4 servers, originally
configured as BDCs. They are ready to be retired. As I recall, these BDCs
can simply be taken offline and deleted from AD (unlike Win2000 domain
controllers, which need to have dcpromo run and changed back to member
servers first). Am I remembering correctly?

Thanks for your input.

 

[Jorge de Almeida Pinto [MVP]]

removing NT4 BDCs is like:
(1) start->shutdown (never returning)
(2) delete computer account

with AD DCs you need to clean the metadata

--

Cheers,
(HOPEFULLY THIS INFORMATION HELPS YOU!)
# Jorge de Almeida Pinto #
MVP Windows Server - Directory Services
BLOG --> http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/jorge/default.aspx

 

[Herb Martin]

"Jorge de Almeida Pinto [MVP]"

removing NT4 BDCs is like:
(1) start->shutdown (never returning)
(2) delete computer account

with AD DCs you need to clean the metadata

Jorge knows the following of course, but lets be a little
more explicit about "AD DCs...metadata":

With AD DCs you run DCPromo while the DC is still
online to remove the AD, and to make sure the remaining
DCs/AD know the DC is being demoted. (Remove the
metadata.)

Running DCPromo does the demotion and IF your name
resolutions etc. is working, then the DC will also be removed
from the AD so that manual removal of the metadata for the
DC is unnecessary.

Metadata-> The term or prefix "meta" generally means "about"
or "at a higher level" so "metadata" is data about your AD,
including the DCs that are responsible for holding the rest of
the data in the Active Directory.

 

[David Grenkevich]

Thanks to both of you. I have removed a AD DC before and am familiar with
the process of making sure it gets done cleanly. I just wanted confirmation
that NT BDCs are a lot easier.

"Jorge de Almeida Pinto [MVP]"

removing NT4 BDCs is like:
(1) start->shutdown (never returning)
(2) delete computer account

with AD DCs you need to clean the metadata

Jorge knows the following of course, but lets be a little
more explicit about "AD DCs...metadata":

With AD DCs you run DCPromo while the DC is still
online to remove the AD, and to make sure the remaining
DCs/AD know the DC is being demoted. (Remove the
metadata.)

Running DCPromo does the demotion and IF your name
resolutions etc. is working, then the DC will also be removed
from the AD so that manual removal of the metadata for the
DC is unnecessary.

Metadata-> The term or prefix "meta" generally means "about"
or "at a higher level" so "metadata" is data about your AD,
including the DCs that are responsible for holding the rest of
the data in the Active Directory.


--
Herb Martin, MCSE, MVP
Accelerated MCSE
http://www.LearnQuick.Com
[phone number on web site]

--

Cheers,
(HOPEFULLY THIS INFORMATION HELPS YOU!)
# Jorge de Almeida Pinto #
MVP Windows Server - Directory Services
BLOG --> http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/jorge/default.aspx

 

[Jorge de Almeida Pinto [MVP]]

Thanks Herb. My apologies for not being clear enough

You are correct.
To remove a DC in AD you demote it as it should (and metadata cleanup is not
needed)
If it is already dead and there is no need to return then you clean its
metadata

--

Cheers,
(HOPEFULLY THIS INFORMATION HELPS YOU!)
# Jorge de Almeida Pinto #
MVP Windows Server - Directory Services
BLOG --> http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/jorge/default.aspx
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
* This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties and confers no rights!
* Always test before implementing!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Jorge de Almeida Pinto [MVP]"

removing NT4 BDCs is like:
(1) start->shutdown (never returning)
(2) delete computer account

with AD DCs you need to clean the metadata

Jorge knows the following of course, but lets be a little
more explicit about "AD DCs...metadata":

With AD DCs you run DCPromo while the DC is still
online to remove the AD, and to make sure the remaining
DCs/AD know the DC is being demoted. (Remove the
metadata.)

Running DCPromo does the demotion and IF your name
resolutions etc. is working, then the DC will also be removed
from the AD so that manual removal of the metadata for the
DC is unnecessary.

Metadata-> The term or prefix "meta" generally means "about"
or "at a higher level" so "metadata" is data about your AD,
including the DCs that are responsible for holding the rest of
the data in the Active Directory.


--
Herb Martin, MCSE, MVP
Accelerated MCSE
http://www.LearnQuick.Com
[phone number on web site]

--

Cheers,
(HOPEFULLY THIS INFORMATION HELPS YOU!)
# Jorge de Almeida Pinto #
MVP Windows Server - Directory Services
BLOG --> http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/jorge/default.aspx

 

[Guest]

IF I might borrow this thread for a second question on this topic.
I have a NT4 BDC that needs to be retired but the server name because of
shares has to stay on line. I went to remove this NT4 BDC and I get and error
that states I have to run DCPROMO to demote it. How can that be?
I have another server with WIN2003 installed ready to come on line and take
the NT4 server spot but I get nerverous on tring to replace differnet
hardware server and keeping the same name.

What should I do in this case? I have 8 hours to figure it. Than One or the
other as to come back on line for users to get to data.

Scenerio: 2 AD servers and one NT4 BDC server

Thanks Herb. My apologies for not being clear enough

You are correct.
To remove a DC in AD you demote it as it should (and metadata cleanup is not
needed)
If it is already dead and there is no need to return then you clean its
metadata

--

Cheers,
(HOPEFULLY THIS INFORMATION HELPS YOU!)
# Jorge de Almeida Pinto #
MVP Windows Server - Directory Services
BLOG --> http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/jorge/default.aspx
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
* This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties and confers no rights!
* Always test before implementing!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Jorge de Almeida Pinto [MVP]"

removing NT4 BDCs is like:
(1) start->shutdown (never returning)
(2) delete computer account

with AD DCs you need to clean the metadata

Jorge knows the following of course, but lets be a little
more explicit about "AD DCs...metadata":

With AD DCs you run DCPromo while the DC is still
online to remove the AD, and to make sure the remaining
DCs/AD know the DC is being demoted. (Remove the
metadata.)

Running DCPromo does the demotion and IF your name
resolutions etc. is working, then the DC will also be removed
from the AD so that manual removal of the metadata for the
DC is unnecessary.

Metadata-> The term or prefix "meta" generally means "about"
or "at a higher level" so "metadata" is data about your AD,
including the DCs that are responsible for holding the rest of
the data in the Active Directory.


--
Herb Martin, MCSE, MVP
Accelerated MCSE
http://www.LearnQuick.Com
[phone number on web site]

--

Cheers,
(HOPEFULLY THIS INFORMATION HELPS YOU!)
# Jorge de Almeida Pinto #
MVP Windows Server - Directory Services
BLOG --> http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/jorge/default.aspx
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
* This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties and confers no
rights!
* Always test before implementing!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a pretty easy question, but I can't find the answer in writing.
And I like everything in writing.

The situation before me is a Win2000 AD running along just fine, with
one domain controller holding all the FSMO roles and another domain
controller serving as a backup.

Also sitting out on the network are two old NT 4 servers, originally
configured as BDCs. They are ready to be retired. As I recall, these
BDCs can simply be taken offline and deleted from AD (unlike Win2000
domain controllers, which need to have dcpromo run and changed back to
member servers first). Am I remembering correctly?

Thanks for your input.

 

[Herb Martin]

IF I might borrow this thread for a second question on this topic.
I have a NT4 BDC that needs to be retired but the server name because of
shares has to stay on line. I went to remove this NT4 BDC and I get and
error
that states I have to run DCPROMO to demote it. How can that be?
I have another server with WIN2003 installed ready to come on line and
take
the NT4 server spot but I get nerverous on tring to replace differnet
hardware server and keeping the same name.

What should I do in this case? I have 8 hours to figure it. Than One or
the
other as to come back on line for users to get to data.

Scenerio: 2 AD servers and one NT4 BDC server

DCPromo has nothing to do with BDCs so remove the BDC
(take it offline) and delete the server account in AD U & C.

Join the new server and then DCPromo it.

Generally a losing proposition hijack thread if you are in
a hurry since likely only those who were previously reading
that thread will respond (days after the initiation) since
most people use a threaded reader AND mark threads which
interest them as they appear.


--
Herb Martin, MCSE, MVP
Accelerated MCSE
http://www.LearnQuick.Com
[phone number on web site]

Thanks Herb. My apologies for not being clear enough

You are correct.
To remove a DC in AD you demote it as it should (and metadata cleanup is
not
needed)
If it is already dead and there is no need to return then you clean its
metadata

--

Cheers,
(HOPEFULLY THIS INFORMATION HELPS YOU!)
# Jorge de Almeida Pinto #
MVP Windows Server - Directory Services
BLOG --> http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/jorge/default.aspx
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
* This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties and confers no
rights!
* Always test before implementing!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Jorge de Almeida Pinto [MVP]"
message
removing NT4 BDCs is like:
(1) start->shutdown (never returning)
(2) delete computer account

with AD DCs you need to clean the metadata


Jorge knows the following of course, but lets be a little
more explicit about "AD DCs...metadata":

With AD DCs you run DCPromo while the DC is still
online to remove the AD, and to make sure the remaining
DCs/AD know the DC is being demoted. (Remove the
metadata.)

Running DCPromo does the demotion and IF your name
resolutions etc. is working, then the DC will also be removed
from the AD so that manual removal of the metadata for the
DC is unnecessary.

Metadata-> The term or prefix "meta" generally means "about"
or "at a higher level" so "metadata" is data about your AD,
including the DCs that are responsible for holding the rest of
the data in the Active Directory.


--
Herb Martin, MCSE, MVP
Accelerated MCSE
http://www.LearnQuick.Com
[phone number on web site]

--

Cheers,
(HOPEFULLY THIS INFORMATION HELPS YOU!)
# Jorge de Almeida Pinto #
MVP Windows Server - Directory Services
BLOG --> http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/jorge/default.aspx
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
* This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties and confers no
rights!
* Always test before implementing!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a pretty easy question, but I can't find the answer in
writing.
And I like everything in writing.

The situation before me is a Win2000 AD running along just fine, with
one domain controller holding all the FSMO roles and another domain
controller serving as a backup.

Also sitting out on the network are two old NT 4 servers, originally
configured as BDCs. They are ready to be retired. As I recall, these
BDCs can simply be taken offline and deleted from AD (unlike Win2000
domain controllers, which need to have dcpromo run and changed back
to
member servers first). Am I remembering correctly?

Thanks for your input.

 

[Guest]

Every time I tried to remove the NT4 server from the Domain Control object
container it would continue to tell me NO and to use DCPROMO to remove this
server from the network.
I did an upgrade of the serer to 2003 and when the AD wizard popup I made
the server a member server and not a domain controller. It did demoted it to
a member server than I rest the machine account.
I signed the new server on to the network, renamed it to the original
machine name did a reboot.
So far it seems all is working well.
I do appriciate your prompt response even thought I figured hijacking the
thread would of had marginal results.

IF I might borrow this thread for a second question on this topic.
I have a NT4 BDC that needs to be retired but the server name because of
shares has to stay on line. I went to remove this NT4 BDC and I get and
error
that states I have to run DCPROMO to demote it. How can that be?
I have another server with WIN2003 installed ready to come on line and
take
the NT4 server spot but I get nerverous on tring to replace differnet
hardware server and keeping the same name.

What should I do in this case? I have 8 hours to figure it. Than One or
the
other as to come back on line for users to get to data.

Scenerio: 2 AD servers and one NT4 BDC server

DCPromo has nothing to do with BDCs so remove the BDC
(take it offline) and delete the server account in AD U & C.

Join the new server and then DCPromo it.

Generally a losing proposition hijack thread if you are in
a hurry since likely only those who were previously reading
that thread will respond (days after the initiation) since
most people use a threaded reader AND mark threads which
interest them as they appear.


--
Herb Martin, MCSE, MVP
Accelerated MCSE
http://www.LearnQuick.Com
[phone number on web site]

Thanks Herb. My apologies for not being clear enough

You are correct.
To remove a DC in AD you demote it as it should (and metadata cleanup is
not
needed)
If it is already dead and there is no need to return then you clean its
metadata

--

Cheers,
(HOPEFULLY THIS INFORMATION HELPS YOU!)
# Jorge de Almeida Pinto #
MVP Windows Server - Directory Services
BLOG --> http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/jorge/default.aspx
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
* This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties and confers no
rights!
* Always test before implementing!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Jorge de Almeida Pinto [MVP]"
message
removing NT4 BDCs is like:
(1) start->shutdown (never returning)
(2) delete computer account

with AD DCs you need to clean the metadata


Jorge knows the following of course, but lets be a little
more explicit about "AD DCs...metadata":

With AD DCs you run DCPromo while the DC is still
online to remove the AD, and to make sure the remaining
DCs/AD know the DC is being demoted. (Remove the
metadata.)

Running DCPromo does the demotion and IF your name
resolutions etc. is working, then the DC will also be removed
from the AD so that manual removal of the metadata for the
DC is unnecessary.

Metadata-> The term or prefix "meta" generally means "about"
or "at a higher level" so "metadata" is data about your AD,
including the DCs that are responsible for holding the rest of
the data in the Active Directory.


--
Herb Martin, MCSE, MVP
Accelerated MCSE
http://www.LearnQuick.Com
[phone number on web site]

--

Cheers,
(HOPEFULLY THIS INFORMATION HELPS YOU!)
# Jorge de Almeida Pinto #
MVP Windows Server - Directory Services
BLOG --> http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/jorge/default.aspx
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
* This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties and confers no
rights!
* Always test before implementing!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a pretty easy question, but I can't find the answer in
writing.
And I like everything in writing.

The situation before me is a Win2000 AD running along just fine, with
one domain controller holding all the FSMO roles and another domain
controller serving as a backup.

Also sitting out on the network are two old NT 4 servers, originally
configured as BDCs. They are ready to be retired. As I recall, these
BDCs can simply be taken offline and deleted from AD (unlike Win2000
domain controllers, which need to have dcpromo run and changed back
to
member servers first). Am I remembering correctly?

Thanks for your input.