Domain Controller Removal

[amorielljr]

I need a domain controller that contains my current AD for my production network to be used on my test network. I was going to bring another domain controller onto my production network then down it and use it for my test network. After moving it to the test network I was going to just delete the domain controller account created for my domain controller on the production network. Is there anything else that I would need to do?? Thanks.

 

[svsawkar]

If you only plan on having 1 dc in the test lab, that should be ok. After you metadata cleanup the other server, seize the roles and configure dns.

If you want to introduce another dc into the test environment, you will need to clean up FRS as well.

/Siddharth

 

[amorielljr]

Yes, I only plan on having 1 DC on my test network. So your saying that I have to run the metadata cleanup on my production network? Can I just delete the domain controller account and the server entry in AD Sites and Services??

 

[yizhar]

HI.

I think that a better solution is to backup the real server and then restore it to the test machine.
This seems to me better then your plans:
* No sensitive modifications to the real system.
* You prepare yourself better for disaster recovery by simulating it and practicing.

You can try backup and restore of system state only or the all system partition.



Yizhar Hurwitz

http://teachers.sivan.co.il/yizhar

 

[svsawkar]

This backup / restore will be much more painful than a simple metadata cleanup. It will also fail unless all of the hardware is exactly the same.

You will not be able to just delete the NTDS connection settings and/or computer account. Follow Q216498 exactly to remove all relevant information.

/Siddharth