04 Jun 2011  • Featured

How to rename a Domain Controller

Saturday, June 4th, 2011 by (See all posts by )

Today I’m going to show you how to rename a Domain Controller. Before we can rename the DC, we must prepare the server first. You can use this checklist as a guide to make sure your server is ready or copy and paste this link into your browser http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc816631(WS.10).aspx. The actual command to rename it is fairly simple. One thing yo must remember is that the Forest and Domain Functional Level should be Windows Server 2008 to proceed with the following task.

Tutorial:

  1. Open your command prompt and run the following code:

    rendom /list

  2. The previous command will outputs an XML file (Domainlist.xml) to the directory where rendom resides. You edit that file to change your domain configuration to the new domain name. i.e ForestDNSZones, DomainDNSZones, Netbios name. After you modified that file you will need to run:

    rendom /showforest

    That command will shows you the future configuration, verify and make changes if necessary

  3. Next you will need to upload the changes you have made in the XML file by running:

    rendom /upload

  4. You will need to verify readiness of Domain Controller(s) by running:

    rendom /prepare

  5. Next execute domain rename instructions by running:

    rendom /execute

  6. After thats finishes up successfully, you should also run GPFIXUP tool to fix up GPO references to your old domain name by running:

    gpfixup /olddns:(your old dns)/newdns:(your new dns)

  7. Lastly, run:

    rendom /clean

    Once you are finish, the server will need a reboot. After the server reboot you can log back into your AD and verify your new domain.

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