Easy way to change Domain Controller domain name?

A

AMD_Gamer

Fully [H]
Joined
Jan 20, 2002
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Is there an easy way to change the domain name of a Server 2008 Domain controller after you already have it up and running?
 
even though the guides from MS make it look like you just do a few bits here and there and it works it doesn't!

It may look like it has but down the ljne you will find major problems, I have done it a couple of times and both times it seems to have gone well and both times I have had issues, the annoying and worrying thig was both times the issues where different!

Renaming a domain is just bad. The last time I was asked to do it I rebuilt their domain (it was only 3 small sites)
 
I've done a domain rename on 2k3.....the domain rename went well and that part was fairly easy, the only hiccup was Exchange related...found the issue a few years later with activesynch when I began deploying smart phones to staff. Exchange still had a ghost leftover deep in there pointing to the old domain name. Microsoft support mopped that up fairly quickly by digging deep with adsiedit.
 
Sorry guys I don't think I made myself clear, I just want to rename the DC computer itself not the domain name it is on. Like i did not give it a name when i set it up and it just uses the random numbers and letters. I want to change that.
 
AMD_Gamer said:
Sorry guys I don't think I made myself clear, I just want to rename the DC computer itself not the domain name it is on. Like i did not give it a name when i set it up and it just uses the random numbers and letters. I want to change that.
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you need to demote the DC, remove it from AD, rename it, re-promote it.
 
cyr0n_k0r said:
you need to demote the DC, remove it from AD, rename it, re-promote it.
Click to expand...

So it is ok to name a new DC the same name as an old one you just demoted and shutdown?

This means I will have to transfer roles to a different DC before doing this change. What a PITA.
 
AMD_Gamer said:
Sorry guys I don't think I made myself clear, I just want to rename the DC computer itself not the domain name it is on. Like i did not give it a name when i set it up and it just uses the random numbers and letters. I want to change that.
Click to expand...

Oh..the "netbios name" of the DC. When I read "domain name"...I thought...well..thought you mean..domain name, like the fqdn.

I dunno if I'd name the DC the same as the old DC. Something makes me think some "ghost" remnant of the old DC may cause a hiccup...and troubleshooting with the same netbios name of old and new DC may be tough.
 
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