Transfer DNS

[Michael]

I wish to transfer DNS from a Windows 2000 SP4 Server (DC) to a Windows Server 2003 SP2 (also a DC).

I've found this guide on the MS KB323383, but is there anything I should watch out for? I've never transferred DNS from one DC to another before in practice. Is it as easy as the guide states?

Many thanks

[john]

Im sure I've just backed up the DNS using the option in the DNS Management console, intalled the DNS service on the new server, and then restored it. as quick and easy as that, and I think that worked on 2000 to 2003 but clearly check it out first.

[GrumbleDook]

If both machines are DCs they should both have DNS set up on them already. This is needed for redundancy if nothing else. I am pretty sure that you can't even promote a machine to a DC without having working DNS on it?

If you are purely looking at making the second machine the primary DNS all you need to do is change the order of DNS servers on your clients / servers. This can be done within the DHCP scope or it is possible to script it via WMI (information for this sort of thing can be found at what used to be winscriptingsolutions.com ... now Windows IT PRo.

[Oops_my_bad]

It's not compulsory to have DNS on a DC (2003 anyway), all that will happen is DNS entries will not be dynamically updated.