server decommissioning

[people3]

Hi,

Hopefully a quick question.

We have 3 sites - one of the sites is closing and we need to remove the server.

All 3 sites run windows 2003 servers - the schema master and all role masters are not held on the server that is to be removed (active directory is installed on all servers).

Can i just power the server down at the remote site and delete the site from sites and services in AD

Many Thanks

 

[itsp1965]

If the server in the remote site is a domain controller, regardless of the fact it doesn't hold any FSMO roles should be demoted from a DC role using DCPROMO. Just turning off the server can generate all kinds of replication traffic and errors since AD is looking for now a defunct DC.

 

[Davetoo]

Here's what I do when I retire a server:

1 - make sure all FSMO roles are transferred
2 - make sure all services are transferred (DNS, DHCP, etc)
3 - DCPROMO the server to reduce to a member server
4 - Keep server running for a few days and watch all events in domain for issues
5 - turn server off, remain at location for a few days, again watching all events for any issues
6 - Physically remove server from site

Obviously, this assumes you have the time to do this. The main thing is to watch the events on other servers to see if they still think the server is there for some strange reason.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

 

[people3]

HI,

Many thanks for the replys,

That all seams fairly straight forward,

The server does not hold any FMSO roles and the whole site is being decommissioned so no DHCP and DNS required at the site.

Do I need to manually remove the server from sites and services or when I do the DCPROMO will it be removed automatically?

Many Thanks