Renaming Server

[Guest]

I recently deployed windows 2000 advanced server as the primary domain controller on my network. Unfortunaty the DNS name I gave it was not the correct one and I need to rename it and give it a DNS root for our domain. Is it possible to do this without interferring with the users on my network i.e network authentication. And If I used Active directory to demote the server would I have to create new users and reinstall my software.

Please assist

 

[Scott Harding - MS MVP]

You cannot rename a Windows 2000 domain or domain controller. If you dcpromo
you lose everything about your domain so yes all the user accounts and
computer accounts and every machine will have to rejoin the domain once
you've redone it like you want. The installed software will not be affected
though. I don't understand your reson for doing this though. What does "DNS
root for our domain." mean? Your internal domain name has very little to do
with anything and the actual name of it really shouldn't cause any issues
that are usually worth going through this procedure. You certainly don't
want it to be the real name of your internet domain if that's what your
after.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;254680
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;254680


--
Scott Harding
MCSE, MCSA, A+, Network+
Microsoft MVP - Windows NT Server

I recently deployed windows 2000 advanced server as the primary domain

controller on my network. Unfortunaty the DNS name I gave it was not the
correct one and I need to rename it and give it a DNS root for our domain.
Is it possible to do this without interferring with the users on my network
i.e network authentication. And If I used Active directory to demote the
server would I have to create new users and reinstall my software.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Scott;

My reason for doing this is that while running dcpromo for the first time the DNS name i.e. mycompany.co.ke was rejected, I tried sever.www.mycompany.co.ke and it was accepted.

You've adequately answered my question and I think I will not go ahead with the process.

Cheers,
Job