Change Primary Domain Controller

Hello,

I with to retire a domain controller and make a new one which i have just
built, primary in its place.. what is the best way of going about this?

As it stands i have built the new machine and made it a domain controller..
however i do not want to 'break' anything so is there anything i should be
aware of before i continue? and what are the steps i need to take to ensure
it goes smoothly..

For example, the machine i am about to retire is the only domain controller
where when you create a new user it gives you the option to create an
exchange mailbox.. do i change this in exchange or windows?

regards

chris

There is no such thing as a Primary Domain Controller unless you are still
running NT4 DCs.

The Exchange options are there because:
1. Exchange runs on the same box
OR
2. The Exchange Administration tools are installed on the machine.

If it is because of #1 then you better not try to remove the machine from
the system unless you really know what you are doing an know how to migrate
Exchange to another machine.
If it is because of #2 then be sure to install the Exchange Tools onto the
new machine.

To make a machine a DC , or make it stop being a DC, is done by running
DCPROMO from a command prompt. This has nothing to do with it joining a
domain or leaving a domain.

--
Phillip Windell [MCP, MVP, CCNA]
www.wandtv.com


"Chris" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:40EED05D-9978-497B-AE16-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hello,
>
> I with to retire a domain controller and make a new one which i have just
> built, primary in its place.. what is the best way of going about this?
>
> As it stands i have built the new machine and made it a domain
controller..
> however i do not want to 'break' anything so is there anything i should be
> aware of before i continue? and what are the steps i need to take to
ensure
> it goes smoothly..
>
> For example, the machine i am about to retire is the only domain
controller
> where when you create a new user it gives you the option to create an
> exchange mailbox.. do i change this in exchange or windows?
>
> regards
>
> chris

To continue Philip's comments; once you taken your new server and joined it
to the existing domain and you want to completely vanish the other server
you still have to transfer all five FSMO's and the GC. If Exchange is on
the box, this will have to be moved as well. Then you have to consider if
DNS is set up on the old server and if you will be moving that to the new
server, and the same with DHCP, WINS, etc.

A real question in this type of situation is what are you trying to
accomplish? What is your existing setup and what is the setup you desire to
have? Do you have an IT team to do any major changes or a consultant team?
Etc. There are lots to consider when moving a server, which is a DC (and
apparently a mail server) from the network.

If you need 'that' type of assistance maybe we can help out, or your
IT/Consultant team. Moving a complete server functionality to another server
should really be left a "server guy" to perform.

Hope this helps,
--
Louis Vitiello Jr.
------------------------------
MCSE, MCSA, MCP, A+/N+
ERCP XP Pro / Net Concepts

"Phillip Windell" <@.> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> There is no such thing as a Primary Domain Controller unless you are still
> running NT4 DCs.
>
> The Exchange options are there because:
> 1. Exchange runs on the same box
> OR
> 2. The Exchange Administration tools are installed on the machine.
>
> If it is because of #1 then you better not try to remove the machine from
> the system unless you really know what you are doing an know how to
> migrate
> Exchange to another machine.
> If it is because of #2 then be sure to install the Exchange Tools onto the
> new machine.
>
> To make a machine a DC , or make it stop being a DC, is done by running
> DCPROMO from a command prompt. This has nothing to do with it joining a
> domain or leaving a domain.
>
> --
> Phillip Windell [MCP, MVP, CCNA]
> www.wandtv.com
>
>
> "Chris" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:40EED05D-9978-497B-AE16-(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Hello,
>>
>> I with to retire a domain controller and make a new one which i have just
>> built, primary in its place.. what is the best way of going about this?
>>
>> As it stands i have built the new machine and made it a domain
> controller..
>> however i do not want to 'break' anything so is there anything i should
>> be
>> aware of before i continue? and what are the steps i need to take to
> ensure
>> it goes smoothly..
>>
>> For example, the machine i am about to retire is the only domain
> controller
>> where when you create a new user it gives you the option to create an
>> exchange mailbox.. do i change this in exchange or windows?
>>
>> regards
>>
>> chris
>
>

"Louis Vitiello Jr." <louv-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> you still have to transfer all five FSMO's and the GC. If Exchange is on

DCPROMO will automatically transfer the Roles during the process,...except
for the GC which has to be enabled manually.

--
Phillip Windell [MCP, MVP, CCNA]
www.wandtv.com