How do I migrate DNS server from old Win2k3 to new Win2k3?

Question

I have a Win2k3 server that is a DNS server. It is also a doman controller. I'm not sure if the File Server Migration Tool will migrate the DNS server to the new box.

Answer 1

1. Bring the new box on line and join it to the domain. Do NOT install DNS at this point.

2. Run DCPROMO and make it a domain controller.

3. Install DNS on the new box. If you use the wizard, click Cancel when prompted to add a Forward Lookup Zone.

4. Wait for DNS replication. Could be anything from a few minutes to a couple of hours. When your Forward Lookup Zones show up on the new box, you're good to go.

5. If you're removing the old DC, move all FSMO roles to the new box.

6. Make the new box a Global Catalogue server.

7. Wait a few hours for AD to stabilize.

8. If you're removing the old box, run DCPROMO to demote it. Verify that the demotion was successful and that it is removed from AD.

If you don't have another DC on your network, I'd highly recommend that you keep it on the network as a DC so that you'll have redundancy of your AD structure. A single DC forest is always an exceptionally bad idea.