Replacing Domain Controller

[karash]

Hello all...need some advice here.

I am 2 weeks away from replacing our 'primary' domain controller on our win2k domain. I quote primary because honestly it doesnt really matter per say in AD. However, all replication links in sites and services are pointing to that server.

My requirements are that the new server must be named the same as the old. Additionally, it will continue as our DNS and DHCP server. Maybe I am getting a bit overwhelmed, but it is a pretty large task.

My plan of attack is:

DCPROMO to demote the old server from being a DC. Hopefully this will allow me to assign another server as a primary one and move all replication links over automatically (yea right).

Once the new box is in, I can then DCPROMO the new box. I am worried immensely about the GUID of the old box. Even though the two servers will be named the same, the GUID of the old one may foul up a lot of Active Directory stuff for the new server. Any tips in this area or am I worried for no reason?

How does one go about replacing a DNS database or DHCP database in windows 2000. I really do not know here but I heard it can be done. We have backups of the old server on tape...but again, I do not know if the GUID will get in the way.

Has anyone done this before? I have taken down other Domain Controllers before, but not this particular box, and not with both DNS and DHCP on it. Any suggestions would be a big help.

Thanks.

 

[karash]

well i guess it was worth a try.

 

[RichardHuang]

Hi Karash,
I didn't do such things before but based on my knowledge you should be able to retire a DC in this way. I suppose you have at least two DCs, right? When this DC is de-promoted, all its roles will transfer to other DCs. You should backup the DNS and DHCP database as well as the registry before you run dcpromo.

Anyway, good luck to you.

 

[GlenJohnson]

You can also manually move it from %systemroot%/winnt/dns from one server to the other. Just make sure you stop the dns service on both first. Personally, I like RichardHuang's idea better. This is just a second method. Good luck.

Glen A. Johnson
Johnson Computer Consulting
MCP W2K
glen@johnsoncomputers.us

http://www.johnsoncomputers.us

Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884

"Once the game is over, the king and the pawn return to the same box."

 

[karash]

Hm...This DC is our primary master DC on the domain. We have 19 Domain Controllers in total, so AD is squared away I believe. This is schema master DC as well.

 

[GlenJohnson]

We have 19 Domain Controllers in total, so AD is squared away I believe Just how big is your network? Just curios.

Glen A. Johnson
Johnson Computer Consulting
MCP W2K
glen@johnsoncomputers.us

http://www.johnsoncomputers.us

Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884

"Once the game is over, the king and the pawn return to the same box."

 

[karash]

It is a statewide network with 19 nodes connected by frame relay circuits. The main location's DC is the one that is getting replaced. It is the Operations Master so care is being taken to make sure we get this right.

 

[lengoo]

HI Karash
Just wondering how you got on with this upgrade as I am thinking of doing the same thing.
Regards