Migrate Windows 2003 Domain Controler To New Hardware

Posted on March 17th, 2009 in Active Directory,Microsoft,Server 2003 by Gil Kreslavsky

Things to consider before migration to new hardware

  • Are you going to keep same DC host name ?
  • Are you going to use same IP address?
  • If you are changing your name and IP if it will have influence on your network ( Firewall Roles etc..)
  • Is the server DHCP server
  • Is the server root CA? – I’m not sure if you can migrate Enterprise Root CA – May be Restore from Backup
  • Is the server Global Catalog ?

Preparation steps

  • Make full Backup of your Active Directory
  • Install new server and join it to your domain
    • Install DNS Service (use active directory integrated zone) that will allow DNS records to replicate
    • Install DHCP service on. Migrate DHCP database. Read MS Article
    • Migrate FSMO roles to new installed server: See transfer FSMO rules
    • Set New server as Global Catalog if you don’t have other DC in your site that operates as Global Catalog: Read MS Artcle

Remove old machine from domain

  • Demote the domain controller by running DCpromo
  • Disjoin the server from the domain.


Hope It helped

Related Articles

Facebook comments:

Post a comment






Search Kreslavsky.com
Custom Search