How to replace a DNS server ?

[Iknowit101]

Our DNS server is having Issues, ocassionally will come up with an error in the Event Viewer (Event ID 15: The device, \Device\Harddisk0\DR0, is not ready for access yet) The server hangs and of course everything that depends on DNS will fail, Users can't access aplications, the internet fail, email fail, etc. the server is a Compaq Proliant 1600 that was "Upgraded" from NT 4.0 to Windows 2000 server when we did the Active Directory and Exchange 2003 migration.
The DNS server in question goes down, reboots but comes up with HP Utilities menu (like when you press F10) and you need to press the power button to get it back on line.
Once restarted, this box will stay up for a few days and then will fail again.
We do have another DNS server in the office member of the AD Domain.
We need to replace the failing server to eliminate this problem,
The question is: How do I do this to avoid down time, and
not to have to visit every single user in the building??
We do not host any webservers on this box.
Any sugestion will be greatly appreciated.

It wasn't me, it was someone that looks a lot like me . . . .

 

[Claudek]

If you wish to have all your clients change DNS server address to your member server, th easiest way would by via DHCP (may need to get this on the member server as well if it is on the failing server).

As for your server, you should be able to get another machine and make that a domain controller when the failing server is in a stable period. Step by step move all other services including exchange to it as well.

Claudius (What certifications??)

http://www.iteq.com.au

 

[adcfaq]

first of all, you should try to avoid single point of failure all the time.

secondly, u should use DHCP for DNS options, if that is not the case, I see lots of my customer using static IP for no reason, you can use netsh to change DNS IP address pointing to the new server, you may script it.

 

[Iknowit101]

Claudek: That is what I need to do.
Question is How do I acomplish it? any links or white papers about it?
Benlu: Using DHCP for DNS options, How do I do that?
I have the second DNS server, just need to point all users and services to the second server, built another box and switch to a new server.
how do I make the transsition is my question here, I am fairly new to DNS and the goal is to move all services without disturbing the users.

Thanks in advance guys.



It wasn't me, it was someone that looks a lot like me . . . .