Changing the domain name

  • Thread starter Thread starter Newman
  • Start date Start date
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Newman

My office has changed its name and so the domain name must be changed. What
is the best way to go about changing the domain name for an office running
windows 2000 small business server?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions and tips.

Newman
 
In
Newman said:
My office has changed its name and so the domain name
must be changed. What is the best way to go about
changing the domain name for an office running windows
2000 small business server?
Click to expand...

This is a problem for SBS2000, you cannot rename a Windows 2000 Active
Directory domain. You can rename a Win2k3 AD domain from a member server.
You would have to demote and repromote a Win2k domain, this means you would
lose all users and computer accounts.
 
Thanks for your quick response.

Is there no way to make the change without losing the user accounts and
computers? Would an in place upgrade work?

Newman
 
In
Newman said:
Thanks for your quick response.

Is there no way to make the change without losing the
user accounts and computers? Would an in place upgrade
work?
Click to expand...

Sure, you can upgrade to SBS2003 then undertake a domain rename operation.
The way SBS licensing works it has to be the root of the forest and hold the
FSMO roles and doesn't allow external trusts. So it makes it kind of tough
to use ADMT which is what you have to use to migrate to a new domain name.
Some say it is possible, I've never tried it, but watch this thread to see
if someone chimes in with a way to work around the limitations of SBS.
 
Kevin said:
In

Sure, you can upgrade to SBS2003 then undertake a domain rename
operation.
Click to expand...

Not sure if this will work, as Exchange is in the picture. Might want to
post in m.p.windows.server.sbs
The way SBS licensing works it has to be the root of the
forest and hold the FSMO roles and doesn't allow external trusts. So
it makes it kind of tough to use ADMT which is what you have to use
to migrate to a new domain name. Some say it is possible, I've never
tried it, but watch this thread to see if someone chimes in with a
way to work around the limitations of SBS.
Click to expand...

Another (icky) option is to back up all data, exmerge mailboxes, export PFs
to PSTs, and build a new domain.
 
In Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]
Not sure if this will work, as Exchange is in the
picture. Might want to post in m.p.windows.server.sbs
Click to expand...

It does with Exchange 2003 SP1 installed.
 
Kevin said:
In Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]
Not sure if this will work, as Exchange is in the
picture. Might want to post in m.p.windows.server.sbs
Click to expand...

It does with Exchange 2003 SP1 installed.
Click to expand...

Hmmm -I have to admit I've never attempted this at all anyway... but you
made me curious.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/chats/trans/sbs/sbs0526.mspx
says it can't be done....

Also see
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/Windows_Server_2003/Q_21054342.html#11520706
(I've copied the relevant content below in case you're asked to log in)

-------
Renaming a Small Business Server domain is not possible, and there is no way
that you can add an SBS to an existing domain. An SBS has to be the forest
root, and you can't setup trusts to other domains.

====8<--------
Windows Server 2003 Domain Rename Tools
(http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/downloads/domainrename.mspx):
[...]
System Requirements
To perform the domain rename procedure, you must be running one of the
following versions of Windows Server 2003 or higher on every domain
controller in the forest in which the domain rename is to be performed:
* Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
* Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
* Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
====8<--------
Windows Small Business Server 2003 Getting Started Guide
(http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sbs/2003/plan/gsg/chptr3a.mspx
):
[...]
Step 2: Windows Configuration
4. [...]
Important: After you install Windows Small Business Server 2003, you cannot
change the full DNS name for the internal domain, the NetBIOS domain name,
or the computer name. These settings are used to configure Windows Small
Business Server tools and applications. To change these names, you must
reinstall Windows Small Business Server 2003.
====8<--------
Small Business Server 2003 - Best Practices, May 26, 2004
(http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/chats/trans/sbs/sbs0526.mspx):
Q: is there a way to rename a domain in SBS
A: Domain rename is not supported in SBS 2003.
====8<--------

Frequently Asked Questions About Windows Small Business Server 2003
(http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/techinfo/overview/generalfaq
..mspx):
Q. What is Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server?
A. [...]
Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server has the following
restrictions:
* Only one computer in a domain can be running Windows Server 2003 for Small
Business Server.
* Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server must be the root of the
Active Directory® forest.
* Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server cannot trust any other
domains.
* A Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server domain cannot have any
child domains.
[...]
Q. Can I use more than one Windows Small Business Server 2003 server in the
same company?
A. There can be only one Windows Small Business Server 2003 server in a
domain. Each Windows Small Business Server 2003 server is typically
connected to the Internet either directly, or via a firewall. Windows Small
Business Server 2003 does not support trusts between domains; therefore,
user names and resources could not be shared between those Windows Small
Business Server 2003 servers. Further, Windows Small Business Server 2003
installs at the root of the Active Directory forest, and it cannot be
demoted, or have the flexible single-master operation (FSMO) roles removed.
====8<--------
 
I don't do SBS, so please take this with a grain of salt. Your best bet,
IMO, is to install a new SBS into a new Forest/Domain. Establish trust (YES)
between this new forest and your existing forest. Then use ADMT2.0 to
migrate from the existing forest to the new one.

As for doing SBS trusts, see
http://www.akomolafe.com/DesktopModules/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=34 . I
"stole" that from somewhere, but I have done this trust part personally. The
ADMT part I haven't done with SBS, but I would wager that it will work.

I would recommend that you simulate this trust/admt scenario in a test lab
before you do it on your live network.


--
Sincerely,

Dèjì Akómöláfé, MCSE MCSA MCP+I
Microsoft MVP - Directory Services
www.readymaids.com - COMPLETE SPAM Protection
www.akomolafe.com
Do you now realize that Today is the Tomorrow you were worried about
Yesterday? -anon
 
Deji said:
I don't do SBS, so please take this with a grain of salt.
Click to expand...

I have a whole salt-cellar-full!
Your best
bet, IMO, is to install a new SBS into a new Forest/Domain. < Establish
trust (YES) between this new forest and your existing forest.
Click to expand...

No trusts can be set up in SBS, alas.
 
Watch your liver with those salt, would you :)
I take it that you didn't read any further down, uh?


--
Sincerely,

Dèjì Akómöláfé, MCSE MCSA MCP+I
Microsoft MVP - Directory Services
www.readymaids.com - we know IT
www.akomolafe.com
Do you now realize that Today is the Tomorrow you were worried about
Yesterday? -anon
"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
 
Deji said:
Watch your liver with those salt, would you :)

I take it that you didn't read any further down, uh?
Click to expand...

I never learned to read!!! <weeps>

So you've actually been able to set up trusts in SBS? I suppose you can bend
spoons using only brain-power, too, eh?
Seriously, dish the dirt. How'd you do it?
Dèjì Akómöláfé, MCSE MCSA MCP+I
Microsoft MVP - Directory Services
www.readymaids.com - we know IT
www.akomolafe.com
Do you now realize that Today is the Tomorrow you were worried about
Yesterday? -anon
"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
I have a whole salt-cellar-full!


No trusts can be set up in SBS, alas.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
In Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]
I never learned to read!!! <weeps>

So you've actually been able to set up trusts in SBS? I suppose you
can bend spoons using only brain-power, too, eh?
Seriously, dish the dirt. How'd you do it?
Click to expand...

He shows how in his link. Interesting series of steps!
http://www.akomolafe.com/DesktopModules/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=34

--
Regards,
Ace

Please direct all replies ONLY to the Microsoft public newsgroups
so all can benefit.

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 Windows MVP - Windows Server - Directory Services

Security Is Like An Onion, It Has Layers
HAM AND EGGS: A day's work for a chicken;
A lifetime commitment for a pig.
 
In Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]
Ace said:
In Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]
Deji Akomolafe wrote:
Watch your liver with those salt, would you :)

No trusts can be set up in SBS, alas.
I take it that you didn't read any further down, uh?

I never learned to read!!! <weeps>

So you've actually been able to set up trusts in SBS? I suppose you
can bend spoons using only brain-power, too, eh?
Seriously, dish the dirt. How'd you do it?
Click to expand...

He shows how in his link. Interesting series of steps!
http://www.akomolafe.com/DesktopModules/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=34
Click to expand...

Oh. What's a "link" ?
<g>
Thanks!
Click to expand...

Its one of those contraptions, you know, like a thing-a-ma-jig thingy?

:-)
 
Ace Fekay [MVP] wrote:
Its one of those contraptions, you know, like a thing-a-ma-jig thingy?

:-)
Click to expand...

Oh. I must need SP2, then. All I have is a doohickey.
 
In Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]
Oh. I must need SP2, then. All I have is a doohickey.
Click to expand...

A doohickey will work without SP2! I found a fix for that so it wll work.
All you have to do is alter the trans-phasic plasma signature in the
firewall's UDP conduit settings to match the tachyon displayment level show
in Task Manager, under the Networking tab!

Ace
 
Ace said:
In Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]
Oh. I must need SP2, then. All I have is a doohickey.
Click to expand...

A doohickey will work without SP2! I found a fix for that so it wll
work. All you have to do is alter the trans-phasic plasma signature
in the firewall's UDP conduit settings to match the tachyon
displayment level show in Task Manager, under the Networking tab!
Click to expand...

I think SBS has a wizard for that. ;-)
 
All those fancy wizards and no way to change the domain name! Who writes
this stuff anyway? :-)


"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
Ace said:
In Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]
Oh. What's a "link" ?
<g>
Thanks!

Its one of those contraptions, you know, like a thing-a-ma-jig
thingy?

:-)

Oh. I must need SP2, then. All I have is a doohickey.
Click to expand...

A doohickey will work without SP2! I found a fix for that so it wll
work. All you have to do is alter the trans-phasic plasma signature
in the firewall's UDP conduit settings to match the tachyon
displayment level show in Task Manager, under the Networking tab!
Click to expand...

I think SBS has a wizard for that. ;-)
Ace
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
In
Newman said:
All those fancy wizards and no way to change the domain name! Who
writes this stuff anyway? :-)
Click to expand...


The Borg? Just kidding!

I would maybe suggest to either go with Deji's little trick of creating a
trust and then use ADMT and Exmerge. ADMT 2 has a mailbox tool in it as
well. Otherwise, I would maybe suggest to use the CSVDE tool to export the
user accounts, remove any reference to the mailboxes. Then use Exmerge to
pump out all the mailboxes. Install your new domain, install Exchange, alter
the CSVDE file to reflect the new domain name, then import it. Once that is
done, use Exmerge to import the mailboxes associating them with the aliases,
which should still remain the same unless there were customizations
performed.

Ace
 
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