Rename Domain Controller?

[fiza]

I currently have 3 Domain Controllers. DC1 and DC2 are 2003 and DC3 is 2008 R2. . I would like to retire DC2 which means I will be left with DC1 and DC3 - to tidy up the naming I would like to rename DC3 to DC2.

 

Can I do this or will it cause too many issues?

[localzuk]

As far as I'm aware, as of Server 2003 you can rename the server and it will update everything for you. However, I wouldn't like to try it myself - I'd much rather demote it, rename it, then promote it again.

 

Personally, I'd not even bother with this at all! Making work for yourself.

 

http://www.petri.co.il/windows_2003_domain_controller_rename.htm

 

Note: If it is running Certificate Authority services, you can't rename it.

[fiza]

Personally, I'd not even bother with this at all! Making work for yourself.

 

Yeh I know you are right. I just dont like numbering gaps!

[gshaw]

Yeh I know you are right. I just dont like numbering gaps!

 

I know that feeling although rather than have gaps when moving my 2003 servers (which end in 01 and 02) I've gone the whole hog and made the new ones 08a and 08b instead

[Michael]

I'd agree, move all roles to DC1 then demote DC3, rename and re-promote.

 

You may just need to update folder or printer shares, depending what else it's used for.

[Ric_]

Yeh I know you are right. I just dont like numbering gaps!

 

Just build a third one and call it DC2

[bart21]

i would dcpromo down then rename the dcpromo up

 

nick

[jimmy_2k]

Hi there, as the name will be assocaited with a current SSID in AD renaming another DC to the same name will cause issues (I can't remember the full explaination but I was taught by an MCSE never to reuse the same domain controller names more than once in a domain). What you need to do is call the new controller DC02 instead of DC2. Trust me on this its not worth taking the risk!

[oxide54]

you can re-use dc names, i've been doing it for years. i've had quite a few domain controllers over the years and they've always been called dc01 & dc02.

 

my domain controllers tend not to have much to do with the wireless networks... not quite sure why yours do?

[SYNACK]

you can re-use dc names, i've been doing it for years. i've had quite a few domain controllers over the years and they've always been called dc01 & dc02.

 

my domain controllers tend not to have much to do with the wireless networks... not quite sure why yours do?

 

Yea, the DCs can be renamed. It is just a problem when they are hosting certain roles like certificate services.

[oxide54]

Yea, the DCs can be renamed. It is just a problem when they are hosting certain roles like certificate services.

 

why are you quoting me? i'm not talking about renaming? or stating either way whether it effects certificate services

[SYNACK]

why are you quoting me? i'm not talking about renaming? or stating either way whether it effects certificate services

 

My bad, someone else was talking about renaming. As long as the old domain controller is properly removed from AD reuse is fine, you just need to make sure you dcpromo - demote or delete the account in AD (server 2008 or higher). No reflection on you, just agreeing with you.