Replacing PDC

[dave.81]

I have a wonderful new server sat here in my cabinet that will be replacing my main DC. That is it will be using the same name, ip etc.

I need to transfer the servers over, including all files etc with as little downtime as possible.

Is there a straight forward way of doing it or will i have to set the domain up from scratch?

[sidewinder]

It would be far easier if you gave it a different name and IP, then promote it to a DC, install DNS etc, then demote the old one

[altecsole]

Add a virtual machine to your network. Make it a DC and transfer roles etc. Demote and remove old machine. Add new machine with same name and IP. Promote to DC, transfer roles and then demote and remove virtual machine.

If I were you I'd consider having a second DC for fault tolerance.

[dhicks]

I need to transfer the servers over, including all files etc with as little downtime as possible.

You could try setting up a blank virtual machine, then copying everything from your existing DC to the new VM and seeing if it boots. From what others have said it stands a good chance of working, although Windows might think to itself for a bit before starting as it sorts itself out with drivers and so on. You could then also mirror that VM for fail-over purposes.

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David Hicks