How to Rename a Domain Controller


How to rename my Windows 2003 Domain Controllers?

There are 2 methods for performing the rename procedure. One is easier and done through the GUI; the other is more complex and requires the installation of the Windows Server 2003 Support Tools.

Method #1 - Through the GUI
Although easier to implement, if you rename a domain controller through the System Properties dialog box, DNS and Active Directory replication latency may delay the ability of clients to locate or authenticate to the renamed domain controller. The length of this latency depends on your network design and the replication topology of your organization.

Method #2 - By using Netdom.exe
Netdom.exe (Windows Domain Manager) this command-line tool enables renames a domain controller in a Windows Server 2003 domain, and also administrators to manage Windows Server 2003 and Windows 2000 domains and trust relationships from the command line.

Netdom.exe It only requires one reboot of the DC that had its name renamed.

Note: Domain Controllers running Microsoft's Certificate Authority services (CA) can never be renamed.

Important: To rename a domain controller using the Netdom.exe tool, the domain functional level must be set to Windows Server 2003.

You must install the Windows Server 2003 Support Tools. Click here to Download: 2003 Support Tools.

To rename a DC with the name from Server1 in the SAHaseeb.edu domain to Server001 follow the next steps:

Syntax
Open Command Prompt and type:
  1. Netdom Computername Server1.SAHaseeb.edu /Add:Server001.SAHaseeb.edu

You can verify the new name was indeed added to the computer object by viewing it through Adsiedit.msc
msDS-AdditionalDnsHostName:

Ensure the computer account updates and DNS registrations are completed, then type:
2. Netdom Computername Server1.SAHaseeb.edu /Makeprimary:Server001.SAHaseeb.edu

After restart your computer, you can see lists of primary and/or any alternate names.
Open Command Prompt and type:
Netdom Computername Server1.SAHaseeb.edu /Enumerate

Last syntax
3. Netdom Computername Server001.SAHaseeb.edu /Remove:Server1.SAHaseeb.edu

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