I know that the hostname for WSE 2012 R2 can't be changed to something altogether different, but I wonder if its sentence casing can be changed?

I originally named mine Server2, but now I'd like it to be SERVER2 instead. I've since decided to adopt all uppercase hostnames by convention.

Is this possible and if so, how? Could it be a registry entry or AD setting somewhere?

Thanks,
Jeff Bowman
Fairbanks, Alaska

Hi

 First of all i don't recommned you change the hostname of Essentials,but if you have to change before get full backup.And run this command as administrator account,on netdom renamecomputer command line tool;

Rename-Computer -NewName NEWSERVERHANMEHERE -LocalCredential currentservername\adminuser -Force -PassThru -Restart

First of all i don't recommned you change the hostname of Essentials

I found this:

    "Domain Controllers configured as a Certificate Authority (CA) cannot be renamed"
    https://mizitechinfo.wordpress.com/2013/06/11/simple-guide-how-to-rename-server-2012-ad-host-name/

So you're rightit seems I must reinstall if I want to do this.

Thanks,
Jeff Bowman
Fairbanks, Alaska

• Edited by Jeff.Bowman Tuesday, July 07, 2015 7:46 PM Fixed broken link

First of all i don't recommned you change the hostname of Essentials

I found this:

    "Domain Controllers configured as a Certificate Authority (CA) cannot be renamed"
    https://mizitechinfo.wordpress.com/2013/06/11/simple-guide-how-to-rename-server-2012-ad-host-name/

So you're rightit seems I must reinstall if I want to do this.

Thanks,
Jeff Bowman
Fairbanks, Alaska

• Edited by Jeff.Bowman Tuesday, July 07, 2015 7:46 PM Fixed broken link

First of all i don't recommned you change the hostname of Essentials

I found this:

    "Domain Controllers configured as a Certificate Authority (CA) cannot be renamed"
    https://mizitechinfo.wordpress.com/2013/06/11/simple-guide-how-to-rename-server-2012-ad-host-name/

So you're rightit seems I must reinstall if I want to do this.

Thanks,
Jeff Bowman
Fairbanks, Alaska

• Edited by Jeff.Bowman Tuesday, July 07, 2015 7:46 PM Fixed broken link

Hi,

To change the server name after AD CS has been installed, you must uninstall the CA, change the name of the server, reinstall the CA, and reissue all the certificates issued by the CA. Detailed information you may reference:
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc770402.aspx

In general, host name is not case-sensitive, technically, change Lowercase letter to Uppercase letter doesnt mean change server name. Besides, name displayed on certificate is the CA name, instead of host name. Irecommend you to do a test lab first, also remember to back up data before any change in your product environment.

Best Regards,
Eve Wang

To change the server name ... you must ... reinstall the CA ... I recommend you to do a test lab first

Hm, this is good to know!

Thank you for the reference; I have renewed interest. It'll be a few weeks before I undertake thisI'll report back here on my results.

Thanks,
Jeff Bowman
Fairbanks, Alaska

Hi,

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best Regards,
Eve Wang

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you Eve.

Tell me... if you were doing thisin a lab as you suggestwhat sort of problems would you look for before deciding to make the change in production?

Thanks,
Jeff Bowman
Fairbanks, Alaska

Hi,

I am not sure which roles have been installed on your server. As CA, confirm that if certificate related service still works after changing name. As DC, use DCdiag.exe to analyzes the state.

Best Regards,
Eve Wang

As CA, confirm that if certificate related service still works after changing name. As DC, use DCdiag.exe to analyzes the state.

Very good, this gets me started in the right direction...  thank you.

FYI, it's going to be a good while before I'll be able to work on this. But I won't forget to post my results back here.

Thanks,
Jeff Bowman
Fairbanks, Alaska

For me SERVER2 and server2 are same.

change the ActiveComputerName in registry

Hi Eve

> Proposed as answer by Eve Wang

I redacted the answer proposal; as I haven't been able to try this, I don't know yet whether it's the answer.

I'll keep my promise to keep you informed. It'll be some time before I get a chance to work on it, but it's important to me so I won't neglect the task.

Thanks,
Jeff Bowman
Fairbanks, Alaska

change the ActiveComputerName in registry

Thank you Mahesh; I'll add this to the mix.

In any case, it looks like the CA is going to have to be reinstalled.

Thanks,
Jeff Bowman
Fairbanks, Alaska

Wish I could do this in lab.

Logically you are not changing the name so CA reinstall shouldn't be required

Wish I could do this in lab.

My plan for that is to make a copy of the VM and turn off the network adapter in the copy. That sounds like it should work.

Logically you are not changing the name so CA reinstall shouldn't be required

I can't imagine the certificates not being case sensitive.

Thanks,
Jeff Bowman
Fairbanks, Alaska

Hi Eve

I promised I'd get back to you with my results, but I'm afraid I don't have good news for you.

I've decided to not do this. I'll just have to accept what is, move on and promise myself to adhere to my new naming conventions in the future.

I've just installed Exchange on the domain, which puts the nail in the coffinI've got too many stray cats out there using the certificate.

I've been able to rename all of my client machines just fine; it's only the server that remains. I can live with that.

Thanks,
Jeff Bowman
Fairbanks, Alaska