Two DC's acting as Backup DC, how to enable one of them as Primary DC
J. Forti
Hello Everyone,
I inherited a network that has two domain controllers acting as backup
domain controllers. How can I promote one of them to act as a primary domain
controller.
I noticed when opening Active Directory Users and Computer > Right clicked
on the domain > Operations Masters > RID, PDC, etc. display "Error".
Any help or direction is appreciated!
Thanks!
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Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]
If i understand you correct, 2 DCs are existing and none of them is listed
as FSMO role holder. Please check this with "netdom query fsmo" in a command
prompt. If this is the case i assume there was a problem in the network and
some other DCs, holding the FSMO roles are crashed or not properly removed,
use the following article to seize the FSMO roles and cleanup AD database,
DNS etc.:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555846/en-us
Additional make sure that at least one DC, better both of them are Global
catalog servers:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=313994
Best regards
Meinolf Weber
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Ace Fekay [MCT]
"J. Forti" <jorg...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:B21FD45E-F2A1-40F6...@microsoft.com...
I would just point out that actually, there is no such thing as promoting a
domain controller to a PDC in the NT4 sense of the term. With Active
Directory in Windows 2000 and newer, the PDC function is actually a FSMO
Role now, which can be transferred (or seized in some scenarios) from one DC
to another DC.
There are 5 FSMO roles:
Domain FSMOs:
1. PDC Emulator
2. RID Master
3. Infrastructure Master
Forest FSMOs:
4. Schema Master
5. Domain Name Master
If you are getting an error that you can't open the Operations Masters
dialogue box, it indicates a serious problem that must be repaired. The
errors can be based on numerous reasons, and wtih the limited info provided
so far, it is difficult to ascertain.
To better help, we'll need the info Meinolf requested, in addition, please
post the following data to better evaluate your infrastructure and help in
starting a diagnosis.
1. Unedited ipconfig /all from each current DC
2. Any Event Log errors (post the EventID# and Source Name)
3. Run a dcdiag /v and provide the results.
4. Provide a background of the current DCs (Windows version, service pack
level, if upgraded, installed fresh, etc)
5. Were there any previous DCs?
6. How are the DCs being backed up? (Windows backup, third party backup such
as Veritas, or Imaging software such as Ghost.)
Thank you,
--
Ace
This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and
confers no rights.
Please reply back to the newsgroup or forum for collaboration benefit among
responding engineers, and to help others benefit from your resolution.
Ace Fekay, MCT, MCITP EA, MCTS Windows 2008 & Exchange 2007, MCSE & MCSA
2003/2000, MCSA Messaging 2003
Microsoft Certified Trainer
For urgent issues, please contact Microsoft PSS directly. Please check
http://support.microsoft.com for regional support phone numbers.
Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]
I am missing your new status in the footer :-)
Best regards
Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights.
** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
Ace Fekay [MCT]
news:6cb2911dbada8...@msnews.microsoft.com...
> Hello Ace Fekay [MCT],
>
> I am missing your new status in the footer :-)
>
> Best regards
>
> Meinolf Weber
I know. My name was misspelled at the signup site. I emailed my lead to get
it straightened out first before filling out the NDA with my correct name.
:-)
Ace
J. Forti
"Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]" <meiweb@(nospam)gmx.de> wrote in message
news:6cb2911dba938...@msnews.microsoft.com...