In this article, we are showing you how to rename Domain Name in windows server 2016 with screenshots, This we have done for our lab Environment. So before doing for your production server take a backup for important file. We prefer do not use this until unless you need it.
Refer our recent article about "Step-By-Step Installation of Windows Server 2016 with Screen shots" and "How to install Active Directory on Windows server 2016 Step by step with screenshots".
Below are the URL for above:
Installation of Windows Server 2016 Step by Step
Installation and Configure Active Directory on Windows Server 2016 Step by Step
So we will start doing this step by step, so here we will start by login to the Domain Server where we want to change DC name.
Make a note what name you want to rename and configure for DC.
Below are the screenshot for current server DC name and computer name in our lab environment.
Note: we are performing this for Server 2016 Technical Preview, The same steps will be for released version. Once it will release we will update the same with new Screenshots and new experience .
Note: we must create new DNS Zone with new name which we want rename from Existing DC server. This is to make sure that after whole process successfully, your member server @ Windows clients can join to new Domain name.
So here we have created new DNS Zone effectively, now we will proceed for next step to rename the DC name. To do this we will start from Command prompt.
Above command will not change anything, to be continue we will run below command to upload changes Domainlist.xml file. Enter Rendom /Upload, This is to upload the rename file (Domainlist.xml) to the configuration directory partition on the domain controller holding the domain naming operations master role. Once all successfully we will proceed next step.
Note: Change this command as per your name of DC new and old.
gpfixup /olddns:SPSolutions.com /newdns:Prashantlab.com
gpfixup /oldnb:Prashant /newnb:Prashant
Now open, DNS manger again, by clicking server manager and tools or dns on search. Here we will verify the new created zone which we have created first time, this will have all entery same as old Zone. Refer below screen shots to know more.
Thanks,
Hope this will help some one ☺