Hello,

We have a domain controller running on a dell 2850 server which we want to
migrate to a new piece of hardware. This machine is a domain controller,
smtp server and DNS server. For a host of reasons we need the new hardware
to run a domain controller with the same name and same IP address as the
currently running domain cotroller. We have started to investigate products
from Symantec, PlateSpin and Altiris. One of the reasons we feel like we
need to look at such products is that we don't feel like the server can be
down for an extended period of time. To do this manually would require
demoting from the domain, changing the name, IP, etc. Then Bringing up new
server, promoting to DC, configuring smtp, etc. This would take a long time
if it went smoothly with no problems. Any advice you might suggest or
vendors that would be helpful would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Hello Craig,

!!!BEFORE STARTING ANYTHING PREPARE A GOOD BACKUP!!!

I would prevent keeping the old name, would be made live really easier.

Anyway, choose a machine even an older one, which is capable of running the
actual OS, BTW which one?, promote it as additional DC in
the running domain, make it DNS server (AD integrated zones) and the rest
you need, please specify in detail, so maybe we can give you more detailed
infos.
Run dcdiag /v, netdiag /v and repadmin showreps to check for errors, additional
check event viewer and solve existing errors.

If it is up and running transfer, NOT seize, the 5 FSMO roles to the temporary
DC, make it Global catalog and give it time for replication all infos.
Run dcdiag /v, netdiag /v and repadmin showreps to check for errors, additional
check event viewer and solve existing errors.

If no errors exist, you have to find a time where you are able to remove
the DC which should be replaced. Run dcpromo to demote it, after reboot stop
DNS server service and delete all existing DNS server entries. If this is
done, rename the computer to whatever or delete it from the domain. Check
in AD and DNS that no entry exists for the old name and start with the new
server, install OS, give it the now free name and add it to domain. Then
promote it to DC, make it DNS server, add everything it should do etc.
Run dcdiag /v, netdiag /v and repadmin showreps to check for errors, additional
check event viewer and solve existing errors.

Now again:
If it is up and running transfer, NOT seize, the 5 FSMO roles to the new
DC with the old name, make it Global catalog and give it time for replication
all infos.
Run dcdiag /v, netdiag /v and repadmin showreps to check for errors, additional
check event viewer and solve existing errors.

After that remove the temp DC, the same way like before the other DC.

And you should really think about at least one additional DC for redundancy.

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
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> Hello,
>
> We have a domain controller running on a dell 2850 server which we
> want to migrate to a new piece of hardware. This machine is a domain
> controller, smtp server and DNS server. For a host of reasons we need
> the new hardware to run a domain controller with the same name and
> same IP address as the currently running domain cotroller. We have
> started to investigate products from Symantec, PlateSpin and Altiris.
> One of the reasons we feel like we need to look at such products is
> that we don't feel like the server can be down for an extended period
> of time. To do this manually would require demoting from the domain,
> changing the name, IP, etc. Then Bringing up new server, promoting to
> DC, configuring smtp, etc. This would take a long time if it went
> smoothly with no problems. Any advice you might suggest or vendors
> that would be helpful would be much appreciated.
>
> Thanks.
>