switch domian controller....help!

[bloomlight]

We have 2 domain servers in the network, one is the main domain controller, and another one is the backup domain. The main one is too old and we don't have budget to replace it. Is there a way to switch the backup domain to domain controller? If so, how? Since I don't have very much experience on that, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[jknichols]

I haven't done it myself, so I can't give you step-by-step or gotcha's, but what you want to do is "promote" the backup controller - use your favorite search engine to find "promote win2k3 server" for more info

 

[ShackDaddy]

If both servers are Windows 2003, there is no "backup domain controller" but there is something called the FSMO role holder. Here are the things you will want to consider:

1. Which server (if any) is handing out DHCP addresses to your network? That may need to be migrated.
2. Which server are all the clients pointing to for DNS? That may need to be adjusted.
3. Which server is the FSMO role holder? Doing "netdom query FSMO" from the cmd-line will report the role holder if the basic Win2003 tools have been installed.

Depending on your answers above, you may need to migrate DHCP, repoint DNS and move the FSMO roles as part of this project. Once you've done that, you'll want to run DCPROMO from the cmd-line on the server that you want to stop being a DC (if you do indeed want to do that).

The FSMO role transfer is detailed in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNsB51HGIv8

Someone who's experienced at this could do all of it in 30 minutes or so (assuming servers are healthy and AD replication is currently working), otherwise you'll need to be researching the procedures for each of the above items.

Dave Shackelford
ThirdTier.net
TrainSignal.com