How to change the operation master roles

[bwatkins14]

Windows 2000 domain.
I have a dc (server-a) that resides on my network and is syncronized with my dc's containing all operation master roles. I want to be able to take the server (server-a) off line and create a new domain with the same name using it as the operation master. Then join all new servers to this new domain. I will have to promote server-a to the "pdc" so that it will not look for the old "pdc" for these functions. Does anyone have any information on this?

Thanks for the help.

 

[markdmac]

First off, there is no such thing as a PDC anymore. All DCs are peers. All that would be necessary is for you to join a second server to the existing domain, then run DC PROMO to make it a DC.

Set up your core services on that machine (DHCP & DNS).

Allow time for replication.

You can transfer the FSMO roles to the new server or if need be they can be siezed. If you run DCPROMO on the older server it should offload its roals to the other DC automatically.

If you want to start from scratch, then do just that. You would not be transferring roles in that case as the domain will have a different SID. The Domain NetBIOS name is irrelevant. You would still need to join all server and computers to that new domain.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[bwatkins14]

I know that there is no such thing as a pdc but one of the servers is hosting the master operations for the rest of the servers. I need a new server in a new domain to take control over all the operations with out loosing any of my information from AD.

I'm trying to create a new domain for DR testing with out using the backup and restore process of AD. Restoring AD has proven to be a pain in the *** for me.

Would it be ok for me to just seize all the roles on my new server?

Thanks for your help.

 

[markdmac]

Again , I don't understand why do you think you need to create a new domain and not add another DC to the exisitng Domain?

If you are looking to preserve your AD, then you will want to add another DC to the environment. Have it replicate all of AD and then DCPROMO out the old server.

If you "NEED" to have a new domain, then you will want to look at using ADMT to import your computer and user accounts.

For disaster recovery however you are best served by having redundancy within the domain. Split your DHCP scopes between 2 servers. Have multiple domain controllers, multips GCs and more than one DNS server.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark