Netbios rename

[Bongo]

Has anyone out there ever tried the server 2003 domain rename tool? I'm quite keen to change just the Netbios name of our domain and wondered how easy this was, all the documentation I've seen talks about the DNS name with only passing comment on the Netbios name. I'm hoping the biggest issue will be the users will have to locate the new name in the domains list at login... anything else I should be aware of?

[Geoff]

Do you have an exchange server?

[Bongo]

Not yet, that's why I wanted to get this sorted before we deploy.

[Geoff]

Ah ok, that makes it much simpler. You should read this Microsoft white paper before you proceed.

 

http://download.microsoft.com/download/c/f/c/cfcbff04-97ca-4fca-9e8c-3a9c90a2a2e2/domain-rename-procedure.doc

[ajbritton]

The general opinion on many forums is that unless you have a very good reason to do a domain rename (or unless you are already well practiced at doing it), then it should be avoided.

 

Unless your NetBIOS domain name is going to clash with something else in some way, or it is accidentally a very rude word (!), then I would leave it alone.

 

If you really want to go ahead, I would try a simulation in a disconnected lab (or virtual) environment before going anywhere near your live system.