How to Rename Windows Server 2008 Domain Controller

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If you want to rename your win server 2008 domain controller after server migration you can do this using netdom.exe utility.You need to make sure you have an additional domain controller before proceeding with this procedure.This utility is builtin in to the win server 2008.

Note:- Domain Controllers running Microsoft’s Certificate Authority services (CA) can never be renamed.

Procedure to Follow

Open Command Prompt fro Start>Run>cmd type the following command

netdom computername CurrentComputerName/add:NewComputerName

This command will update the service principal name (SPN) attributes in Active Directory for this computer account and register DNS resource records for the new computer name. The SPN value of the computer account must be replicated to all domain controllers for the domain and the DNS resource records for the new computer name must be distributed to all the authoritative DNS servers for the domain name. If the updates and registrations have not occurred prior to removing the old computer name, then some clients may be unable to locate this computer using the new or old name.

Ensure the computer account updates and DNS registrations are completed and now type

netdom computername CurrentComputerName/makeprimary:NewComputerName

Restart your windows server 2008

Open Command Prompt fro Start>Run>cmd type the following command

netdom computername NewComputerName/remove:OldComputerName

Options in Detail

CurrentComputerName :- The current, or primary, computer name or IP address of the computer you are renaming.

NewComputerName :- The new name for the computer. The NewComputerName must be a fully qualified domain name (FQDN).

OldComputerName :- The old name of renamed computer.