Rename Domain Controller DC

[ViNC3 via WinServerKB.com]

Hi Pros,

I been trying to rename the current DC, from WORLDGROUPC to WORLDGROUPC by
using Netdom.
WORLDGROUP is the old DC with Windows NT 4.0 and WORLDGROUPC is Windows
server 2003
we are going to replace the Old server to the new one, therefore, we need to
change the NEW server(WORLDGROUPC) to the name of the OLD server(WORLDGROUP).

the thing is, I have disconnected the NEW DC from the network when i tried
rename it, so that it won't crashes with the OLD DC (which is still running)
in the network.

so, now the DC (WORLDGROUPC) is standalone, doesn't connect to any network,
and i want to change the DC name to WORLDGROUP
but in the command Prompt:

netdom computername WORLDGROUPC /add WORLDGROUP

When i enter this, it prompt up error:

RPC Server is unavailable.

please help me to solve this problem, thanks in advance

 

[Meinolf Weber]

Hello ViNC3 via WinServerKB.com,

It is not a good idea to rename a DC, but anyway. Is the domain functional
level "Windows Server 2003" ?

Use the syntax like this:
netdom computername dcoldname.mydomain.com /add:dcnewname.mydomain.com


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
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[Herb Martin]

Hi Pros,

I been trying to rename the current DC, from WORLDGROUPC to WORLDGROUPC by
using Netdom.
WORLDGROUP is the old DC with Windows NT 4.0 and WORLDGROUPC is Windows
server 2003
we are going to replace the Old server to the new one, therefore, we need
to
change the NEW server(WORLDGROUPC) to the name of the OLD
server(WORLDGROUP).

the thing is, I have disconnected the NEW DC from the network when i tried
rename it, so that it won't crashes with the OLD DC (which is still
running)
in the network.

so, now the DC (WORLDGROUPC) is standalone, doesn't connect to any
network,
and i want to change the DC name to WORLDGROUP
but in the command Prompt:


When i enter this, it prompt up error:

RPC Server is unavailable.

please help me to solve this problem, thanks in advance

You are implying you have an NT DC in the Domain (same issue even with
Win2000 DCs too) and if so then you cannot have your domain in "Windows
2003 Server Native Mode" (or Functional Level) which is required for
renaming DCs.

The Domain must be all Win2003 DCs and in the Win2003 Native mode
before the DCs can be renamed. You also should REMOVE (properly)
any DCs with conflicting names so they don't even appear in the AD.
(Merely being offline is insufficient.)

One or both of these issues are likely your problem.

--
Herb Martin, MCSE, MVP
http://www.LearnQuick.Com (phone on web site)

If you use LinkedIn then tell me where you know me from when linking:

http://www.linkedin.com/in/herbmartin

 

[Ace Fekay [MVP]]

In

Hi Pros,

Please see my response to your identical post in the
windows.server.active_directory group.

Ace

 

[Jorge de Almeida Pinto [MVP - DS]]

incorrect...

you can rename DCs without being at that DFL level

see: http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/jorge/archive/2005/11/19/109.aspx

--

Cheers,
(HOPEFULLY THIS INFORMATION HELPS YOU!)

# Jorge de Almeida Pinto # MVP Windows Server - Directory Services

BLOG (WEB-BASED)--> http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/jorge/default.aspx
BLOG (RSS-FEEDS)--> http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/jorge/rss.aspx

 

[Ace Fekay [MVP]]

In Jorge de Almeida Pinto [MVP - DS]

incorrect...

you can rename DCs without being at that DFL level

see: http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/jorge/archive/2005/11/19/109.aspx

I agree, but at this time I guess it's a moot point because he wants to do a
domain rename, not a DC rename. See the thread in
windows.server.active_directory.

Ace