Underscore issues...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tim
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Tim

I am upgrading to Windows 2003 using active directory and
DNS. I have always heard but not fully understood there
is a problem with computers having underscores in the
name. My problem is I have a Windows NT server running
SMS that has an underscore in the name (server_2). I need
to upgrade the server to Windows 2003 and run dcpromo on
it so that its no longer a domain controller. Will I run
into problems with the underscore?
 
In
Tim said:
I am upgrading to Windows 2003 using active directory and
DNS. I have always heard but not fully understood there
is a problem with computers having underscores in the
name. My problem is I have a Windows NT server running
SMS that has an underscore in the name (server_2). I need
to upgrade the server to Windows 2003 and run dcpromo on
it so that its no longer a domain controller. Will I run
into problems with the underscore?
Click to expand...

I suggest you rename the machine, before you run DCPROMO. Once it is
promoted to a Win2k DC you cannot rename the domain or the hostname, Win2k3
can as long as Exchange is not in the mix.
Even more important, make sure you use a DNS name with a "." in it
(domain.com, domain.local, domain.lan, lan.domain.com and so on)
After you upgrade, and before you DCPROMO run an ipconfig /all, the primary
DNS suffix should be the same name as the AD Domain you are planning, if it
is not, change the Suffix before you DCPROMO. It is a PITA to change it
after DCPROMO, until it is correct it will be a disjointed namespace and
full of errors.
 
Thanks Keven,

But I am not running DC promo to make it a DC. It is a
Windows NT BDC and I want to make it a member server. So
I am going to upgrade it to Window 2003. It will then be
an Active Directory DC. I will then run DCPromo to make
it a member server. In doing all that will there be a
problem with the underscore. The underscore it needed
some reason for SMS, which is running on the server.
 
In
Kevin D. Goodknecht said:
In

I suggest you rename the machine, before you run DCPROMO. Once it is
promoted to a Win2k DC you cannot rename the domain or the hostname,
Win2k3 can as long as Exchange is not in the mix.
Even more important, make sure you use a DNS name with a "." in it
(domain.com, domain.local, domain.lan, lan.domain.com and so on)
After you upgrade, and before you DCPROMO run an ipconfig /all, the
primary DNS suffix should be the same name as the AD Domain you are
planning, if it is not, change the Suffix before you DCPROMO. It is a
PITA to change it after DCPROMO, until it is correct it will be a
disjointed namespace and full of errors.

--
Best regards,
Kevin D4 Dad Goodknecht Sr. [MVP]
Hope This Helps
============================
Click to expand...

Would be difficult to rename the machine with SMS on it. I would say go
ahead and upgrade it, then after the upgrade, run DCPROMO on it to yank it
off. To rename the machine with SMS on it is a very *difficult* task,
especially if SMS has already been deployed and all the clients are using
it. ALl the SMS client software would have to be deinstalled from every
client (not an easy feat) and then remove SMS, and then start over from
scratch. OUCH It's worse then Exchange if you ask me!!

Maybe we can deal with the underscore on this machine as long as it's the
only machine unless a full revamp of the infrastructure is warranted.


--
Regards,
Ace

Please direct all replies to the newsgroup so all can benefit.
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties.

Ace Fekay, MCSE 2000, MCSE+I, MCSA, MCT, MVP
Microsoft Windows MVP - Active Directory
 
Thanks Ace,

What I am trying to figure out is if windows, AD, or DNS
will have a problem with it. I could care less what the
name is but I thought with windows 2000, Active Directory
and DNS there was an issue with underscores. Is there?
 
In
Tim said:
Thanks Ace,

What I am trying to figure out is if windows, AD, or DNS
will have a problem with it. I could care less what the
name is but I thought with windows 2000, Active Directory
and DNS there was an issue with underscores. Is there?
Click to expand...


Yes there is. It's in DNS. DNS may not allow the registration and may come
up with an Event ID# 5504 error. So if you can change it, go for it.

--
Regards,
Ace

Please direct all replies to the newsgroup so all can benefit.
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties.

Ace Fekay, MCSE 2000, MCSE+I, MCSA, MCT, MVP
Microsoft Windows MVP - Active Directory
 
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