Domain Controller Failure, HELP!!!!!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Eloy Chio
  • Start date Start date
E

Eloy Chio

Hi guys,

I am hoping you all can help me with a problem that is
eating my brain out. The scenario is as follow--I have 1
Domain Controller, which is the primary root domain in
ex... TEST.LOCAL...I have added another Server by running
DCPROMO and making it an additional domain controller for
an existing domain to provide redundancy as Microsoft
recommends. The problem I am having is the Primary Server,
it being the root is about to crash, the RAID 5 has
totally given out and there is no way of rebuilding it
back. Luckily the Server is still up and running, but
before it crashes I want to build another Root Server to
take its place. I have the spare server available, but
have no clue as how to make this new server the root
server with the same NETBIOS NAME, DNS NAME etc...I have
transferred all the roles to the addition domain
controller just in case. I know if I loose this root
server, I will have to run around and rejoin all 350
Computers to a new server.


My question is how would I go about building a new server,
with the same Computer Name, NetBIOS name for Client
access, and DNS so I wont have to run around and rejoin
all the workstation that are currently in the domain that
is about to crash. Is there such a way to just build
another root server and take the place of the current root
domain?

Your input will greatly be appreciated.
 
Eloy,

Don't know what you mean under root server, but if you have added a second
DC to your network, then you have enough redundancy, so that you can rebuild
your first server. First thing to keep in mind is, that for a AD domain to
function properly, you need to have at least one Global Catalog (GC) server
available, DNS server so that clients can locate your DC and your FSMO roles
must be placed on live servers. With this in mind, you must make sure, that
your second DC is also a GC, DNS server (if your first DC is the only DNS
server), and that you have transferred all FSMO roles to the second server.
After you have done that you can use dcpromo to demote your first DC,
rebuild it, and bring it online and introduce it as new DC to your existing
domain. This way you won't have to run around and rejoin all your computers
to the domain.

--
Regards

Matjaz Ladava, MCSE, MCSA, MVP
Microsoft MVP - Active Directory
(e-mail address removed), (e-mail address removed)
http://ladava.com
 
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