New Domain Controller and Remove Old

[efector]

I have a Windows Server 2003 Domain with multiple DC's. I need to remove/replace two DC's in my current site. The challenge is that I the current DC's are called DC01 & DC02. I need these NEW DC's to take over those names and also the same IP addresses. SO, what is the least painful way to do it. I figured, that I would be able to do this:

DC01: 1.1.1.1
DC02: 1.1.1.2
DC03: 1.1.1.3(new DC)
DC04: 1.1.1.4(new DC)

So, I would first rename DC01 to DC05(temporary name), and DC02 to DC06(temporary name). I would then rename DC03 to DC01, and DC04 to DC02. I would then DCPROMO DC05 & DC06 out of being DC's then take them off line. I would then re-ip DC01 & DC02 with the ORIGINAL DC01 & DC02's ip addresses and the reboot & allow them to re-register.

My concern is reusing the names and any SID/GUID issues.

Any thoughts/help would be appreciated.

FYI, I need to keep using DC01 & DC02 names, as well as their IP addresses.


Thanks

 

[Dublin73]

Hi, you'll want to take your 5 FSMO roles into consideration before you do any renaming etc.. You're plan looks alright. I'd go this route...

1. Transfer any FSMO roles that are on DC01 off that server
2. Reboot DC01, run dcpromo and remove AD
3. Reboot DC01 (I know, lots of reboots, best to be thorough!)
4. Force replication on your other DCs
5. Rename DC01 to something else
6. Give it a new IP address and rin ipconfig /registerdns
7. Confirm in DNS that server is registered (on all DNS servers)

With DC01 (now renamed to something else) powered up and online...

On DC03, transfer any FSMO roles off the server, reboot, rename to DC01, reboot, give it DC01 original IP address, run ipconfig /registerdns. Confirm that it registered in all DNS servers.

How many DCs do you plan on ending up with? If your DCs are dedicated ( they don't run anything else ) you don't need more than 2, unless you have more than a thousand users in your site

 

[WhoKilledKenny]

Here is an article that may shed some light on what you are tyring to accomplish.

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