Domain Controller IP Address Change

Hello,

An organization I work for is upgrading various parts of their
infrastructure, including their networking scheme and organizational
structure.

In order to be compliant with this new structure, one of the Windows 2003
Domain Controller's (this one a PDC), must have its static IP address
changed.

Is it safe to do this, and how much trouble can I expect from changing it's
IP address? Assuming I update the relevant references to the PDC on the DHCP
Server, can I expect a smooth change? Will the relevant DNS Server entries
on the PDC automatically update? An indication of how smoothly an IP Address
change generally occures on a DC would be extremely useful to me, as I have
never had to do so before.

Thanks in advance,

Andrew Phillips

Hi Andrew,

Change of IP address on a domain controller is not a task that should cause
any problems if you plan it right.

I would like to first clear that there are no PDCs (Primary Domain
Controllers) in Windows 2003 domains. Since Windows 2000 Active Directory
all domain controllers are equal with exception of domain controllers
holding FSMO roles.

FSMO roles are explained here:

Windows 2000 Active Directory FSMO roles
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q197132/

DHCP server doesn't hold any information about domain controllers. DNS does.
As you mentioned there are some changes necessary to DNS after you change IP
address of domain controller.
If your domain controller has DNS settings set to point to Active Directory
DNS server (it should) e.g. to itself or another domain controller or simply
Active Directory DNS then simply change its IP address and do one of the
following:
- restart Net Logon service
- restart the server

Each of these steps will update DNS records with new IP address for your
domain controller. To see what server has set for DNS servers view TCP/IP
properties and look at "preferred DNS server and alternate DNS server"

Now if your Active Directory server is also DNS server that clients use
don't forget to update this information on the clients. E.g. if clients get
their DNS servers assigned by DHCP server, change the DHCP scope options to
point to new IP address for DNS server.

--
Mike
Microsoft MVP - Windows Security


"Andrew Phillips" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hello,
>
> An organization I work for is upgrading various parts of their
> infrastructure, including their networking scheme and organizational
> structure.
>
> In order to be compliant with this new structure, one of the Windows 2003
> Domain Controller's (this one a PDC), must have its static IP address
> changed.
>
> Is it safe to do this, and how much trouble can I expect from changing
> it's IP address? Assuming I update the relevant references to the PDC on
> the DHCP Server, can I expect a smooth change? Will the relevant DNS
> Server entries on the PDC automatically update? An indication of how
> smoothly an IP Address change generally occures on a DC would be extremely
> useful to me, as I have never had to do so before.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Andrew Phillips
>