Monday, February 27, 2006

How to replace single domain controller in domain with a single domain controller?

Question
How to replace single domain controller in domain with a single domain controller?

Answer
The following article describe a guidelines to replace existing Windows 2003 Domain Controller with a new server.

The article assume the following pre-requirement settings.

  1. There no Exchange/SQL server etc. on the current Domain Controller.
  2. There only one domain, and there only one domain controller function as:DHCP/WINS/DNS/File Server/Print Server.
  3. The source server using regular (No SBS) Windows 2003 Standard or higher.

The following steps need to be taken to replace the exiting Domain Controller.

  1. Install the Windows 2003 Standard or higher on a new server.
    Tip: You will need to setup the current Domain Controller as DNS server.
  2. Promote the new server to become Domain Controller (in the same domain).
    Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Additional Domain Controllers
    http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/
    windowsserver2003/technologies/directory/activedirectory/
    stepbystep/addomcon.mspx
  3. Promote the new Domain Controller to be "Global Catalog" and reboot the server.Enable or disable a global catalog http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/
    windowsserver2003/library/ServerHelp/7b1c3e1c-ef32-4b8e-b4c4-e73910575f61.mspx
  4. Install DNS server on the new Domain Controller.
    How To Integrate Windows Server 2003 DNS with an Existing DNS Infrastructure in Windows Server 2003
    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/323417
    How To Install and Configure DNS Server in Windows Server 2003
    http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;814591
  5. Set the local IP of the new Domain Controller as DNS server.
  6. Option - Install WINS service on the new Domain Controller and change the Domain Controller IP settings to point on the local IP as WINS server IP.
    Tip: You can migrate the current WINS database to the new server.How to migrate a WINS Database from Windows 2000-based WINS server to a Windows 2003-based WINS server
    http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;875419
  7. Move FSMO rules to the new Domain Controller.
    How to view and transfer FSMO roles in the graphical user interface
    http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;255690
  8. Demote the original Domain Controller from using as "Global Catalog" and reboot the server.
    Enable or disable a global catalog
    http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/
    windowsserver2003/library/ServerHelp/
    7b1c3e1c-ef32-4b8e-b4c4-e73910575f61.mspx
  9. Demote the original Domain Controller from using as "Domain Controller".
  10. Migrate printer settings from the old server to the new one by using "Windows Print Migrator 3.1" tool.
    Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Print Migrator 3.1
    http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsServer2003/
    techinfo/overview/printmigrator3.1.mspx
  11. Migrate File Server settings from the old server to the new one by using "Microsoft File Server Migration Toolkit".
    Microsoft File Server Migration Toolkit
    http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/upgrading/
    nt4/tooldocs/msfsc.mspx
  12. Install DHCP server on the Domain Controller and migrate the DHCP settings from the old server.
    How to move a DHCP database from a computer that is running Windows NT Server 4.0, Windows 2000, or Windows Server 2003 to a computer that is running Windows Server 2003
    http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;325473
    Tip: Don’t forget to set the new Domain Controller as DNS & WINS (Optionally) for the DHCP scope/s.
  13. Edit users profiles and/or user logon scripts to point to the new Domain Controller as File Server and Printer server.
  14. Uninstall unnecessary services from the old Domain Controller.
  15. Install third party tools on the new Domain Controller (Backup Software, Antivirus etc.)
  16. Re-register users computers in the new DHCP by using ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew.

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