In
MAC-Windows-Consultant said:
I have taken over support for an existing w2k network.
One W2K AD domain named
www.domain.com
So the NetBIOS name is www.
Aside from it just being ugly do I need to worry about this?
I would rather have the domain named domain.com or domain.local
The AD is in mixed mode but no NT 4.0 servers installed.
W2K server is running file/print and is the DC
There is also a W2K3 server with Exchange 2003 also a DC
AD is Windows 2000
Should I just let this be or could the FQDN be interpreted as a
domain with a Child:
Forest root of domain.com
Child of
www.domain.com ???
It is a single domain but I am conceded that if I change modes to
native and continually AD servers the Domain may eventually be read
as orphaned child domain especailly if the Domain is upgraded to a
2003 AD native.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I assume you mean the name 'www' shows up in the drop-down list in the logon
security box when folks login. Boy that would be confusing. Surprised it was
let go this far. Of course it appears there was a lack of research prior to
implementing it, but that's history at this point. Besides the unusual
NetBIOS name, and if everyone's already used to it, and it works, why bother
to change it, unless there's a pure political reason.
But let's review what you posted. You said there is a Win2003 domain
controller with Exchange installed. Well, just the fact that 2003 is
installed as a DC, then the domain is actually based on 2003, because the
Schema is now 2003, disregarding it's in mixed mode.
The start of the AD DNS namespace can be domain.com, ad.domain.com,
someothername.ad.domain.com, etc etc. It doesn't matter. In this case, the
start of the AD namespace is
www.domain.com. If the actual public name is
the same, then folks will have extreme difficulty getting tothe public
records because the
www.domain.com internal record is actually now the
LdapIpAddress. Each DC has one and it's the one that shows up as:
(same as parent) A IpAddressOfOneOfTheDcs
Changing mode would have nothing to do with the name. Mode dictates what
additional features are available such as, group types and scopes,
replication functionality and RRAS policies.
If you want to rename it, the best thing to do is install a fresh 2003
domain controller in a brand new forest using the name you would like, with
an additional 2003 server (member server only) to install Exchange 2003 on
it (Exchange is not recommended on a DC), and migrate the mess into the new
forest.
There's always the rename function in 2003, but you have to demote all the
2000 domain controller first, however, Exchange installed in the forest
complicates it.
Your call...
--
Ace
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It's easy:
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Ace Fekay, MCSE 2003 & 2000, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCSE+I, MCT, MVP
Microsoft MVP - Directory Services
Microsoft Certified Trainer
Assimilation Imminent. Resistance is Futile
Infinite Diversities in Infinite Combinations
"Very funny Scotty. Now, beam down my clothes."
The only thing in life is change. Anything more is a blackhole consuming
unnecessary energy.
