lost DNS settings, what should I do?

hey

win2k3

I have a win2k3 machine in my network (2 compurters), this machine is
configured as domain controller in my Active Directory

I renamed this domain controller, and today I checked in DNS and discovered
many records there refering to the old name of this server. So I updated
those records with the name of the server.. then rebooted... But now many of
my DNS records are lost

(this is what is displayed in left window of dnsmgmt)
Forward Lookup Zones
_msdcs.test.local
test.local

both contain this:
(same as parent) start of authority [24]pdc1.test.local,
hostmaster.test.local
(same as parent) name server (ns) pdc1.test.local

any suggestions on how to fix this?

In news:(E-Mail Removed),
Jeff <(E-Mail Removed)> typed:
> hey
>
> win2k3
>
> I have a win2k3 machine in my network (2 compurters), this machine is
> configured as domain controller in my Active Directory
>
> I renamed this domain controller, and today I checked in DNS and
> discovered many records there refering to the old name of this
> server. So I updated those records with the name of the server.. then
> rebooted... But now many of my DNS records are lost
>
> (this is what is displayed in left window of dnsmgmt)
> Forward Lookup Zones
> _msdcs.test.local
> test.local
>
> both contain this:
> (same as parent) start of authority [24]pdc1.test.local,
> hostmaster.test.local
> (same as parent) name server (ns) pdc1.test.local
>
> any suggestions on how to fix this?

It's really not a good practice to rename a DC. I would rather suggest the
recommended best practice method which is to demote it, rename it, then
promote it again. Of course this is assuming you have at least two DCs in
each domain, which is recommended in any AD infrastructure.

Is CA on the machine? How about Exchange? Any other applications on it?

What method did you use to rename the domain controller? Did you use
netdom.exe or simply thru computer properties? Netdom is the better way
because it updates certain properties in AD.

Is pdc1 the new or old name?

After you restarted it, it should have updated its DNS records, including
the SRV records. Check the SRV records to make sure they all got renamed. In
DNS zone properties, delete the old and add the new entries under the
Nameservers Tab.

Use ADSIEdit to make sure all old reference have been removed.

Some links to help you:
http://www.petri.co.il/windows_2003_...ler_rename.htm
http://windowsitpro.com/article/arti...roller-dc.html

And Jorge's blog concerning renaming 2003 DCs:
http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/jorge...11/19/109.aspx


--
Regards,
Ace

This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and
confers no rights.

Ace Fekay, MCSE 2003 & 2000, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCSE+I, MCT,
MVP Microsoft MVP - Directory Services
Microsoft Certified Trainer

For urgent issues, you may want to contact Microsoft PSS directly. Please
check http://support.microsoft.com for regional support phone numbers.

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