Replace DC

[Martin]

Hello all,

Need some help on a project. I will be replacing a Windows 2000 Server
machine with a newer\faster machine. The machine will run the same OS and
will have the same name\IP. The old server is a secondary GC\DC and is
running DNS, WINS, and DHCP. What steps should I take in demoting the old
machine and promoting the new machine? Do I need to transfer FSMOs? I am not
sure if this is the first DC in the domain, is there any way to find out?
Does it matter? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Sip

 

[Stefan Buchman]

Hi Sip,

In order to replace this Domain Controller their are a couple things to
think about.

First, you won't be able to have the same name. You need both these
controllers up at the same time so you'll have to name this new one
something different.

In order to migrate to this new server you first have to install Windows
2000 and run DCPROMO to promote it to a Domain Controller. From there
you can use either the GUI tools or ntdsutil.exe to transfer the roles
from the old controller to the new one.

From here go into AD Sites and Services and under NTDS Settings for the
new server check the box next to 'Global Catalog'.

As long as you know where all 5 FSMO roles are and the new server is a
GC you won't have to worry about the first controller in the domain.

From there you can demote the old server using DCPROMO again... and
finally turn it off and delete its computer account when your
comfortable that everything is working.

You won't be able to rename your new server as it is a Domain Controller.

- Stefan