Rename forest root domain

[kratak]

Hi

Im having to expand our current network, which before me was setup to have a domain in a new forest that looks like a child domain i.e. child.domain.com instead of doman.com

The problem is I now want to create child domains and cant because of the current root domain For example i want uk.domain.com and not uk.child.domain.com

So is it possible to rename the root forest domain, but still keep it as the root. I want to rename it from child.domain.com to domain.com so when i go to another DC i can run dcpromo and select child domain in an existing tree and add uk.domain.com

Hope that makes sense.

Thanks,
Kev

[gunderstone]

What version of Windows is running and what mode are you running in?

http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsServer/en/library/4d0c3b6e-e6f5-4ab3-9d81-106ae3a715491033.mspx?mfr=true outlines how How Domain Rename Works but there are specific requirements for Domain Rename

Before a domain rename operation begins, the following requirements must be met:

• The forest functional level must be Windows Server 2003.

• If the position of domains will change, trust relationships must be created to provide trust between any domain that will be renamed (and therefore repositioned) and the domain that is to be its parent in the new structure.

• DNS zones must exist for the new domains.

• Domain-based Distributed File System (DFS) folder redirection paths must be redirected to a server-based path.

• Domain-based roaming user profiles must be relocated to a server-based share or stand-alone DFS path.

• Computers in the to-be-renamed domains must be configured to change their host names to reflect the new domain names.

• Certification authority (CA) requirements must be met.


Forest Functional Level Requirement
The domain rename operation is supported in an Active Directory forest if — and only if — all domain controllers in the forest are running Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition; Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition; or Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition, and the forest functional level has been raised to Windows Server 2003. Raising the forest functional level to Windows Server 2003 requires that all domains in the forest have a domain functional level of at least Windows 2000 native, regardless of what domains you are renaming.

For more information about forest and domain functional levels, see “Active Directory Functional Levels Technical Reference.” at - http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsServer/en/library/20c3f33b-896f-41b0-81ad-e00854c26fa31033.mspx?mfr=true

[kratak]

Hi

Our Domain functional level is Windows Server 2003 and the Forest is Windows 2000, Since all our servers are Windows Server 2003 Std edtion this can be raised to mee the requirements for renaming the domain.

After i rename the root domain controller, will the automatically propogate to the secondary DC, or will i have to remove it from AD before hand and then add it again?

thanks,
Kevin