I have a DC running Server 2003 that I would like to decommission at some point. But for the time being, I would like to have another server (a DC running server 2008) be the SOA for the domain. How do I achieve this? Can i simply change the primary server address in the SOA properties to the new Server 2008 machine? If I do this, are there any changes to the network that I should be aware? (ie. will the host machines still be able to communicate and function). Thanks.

Hello, make sure that your domain DNS zone is AD-integrated, install DNS on the second DC and wait for the next AD replication. Also, make sure that the second DC is also a GC. After that, make the second DC points to itself as primary DNS server. Now you can decommision the DC without problems. Note that it is recommended to have at least two DC/DNS/GC servers per domain. This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights. Microsoft Student Partner 2010 / 2011 Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator: Security Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Security Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows 7, Configuring Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Enterprise Administrator

If it an Active Directory Integrated (ADI) zone, it will replicate as part of the AD replication. You don’t need to manually change the SOA. Install a new DC and select “additional DC for an existing domain” option. Santhosh Sivarajan | MCTS, MCSE (W2K3/W2K/NT4), MCSA (W2K3/W2K/MSG), CCNA, Network+ Houston, TX Blogs - http://blogs.sivarajan.com/ Articles - http://www.sivarajan.com/publications.html Twitter: @santhosh_sivara - http://twitter.com/santhosh_sivara This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties,and confers no rights.

Hi, Thanks for posting here. Agree with Mr X and Santhosh, please also take look the procedures in the article below for the replacement: How to replace single domain controller in domain with a single domain controller? http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555549 Thanks. Tiger Li Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

Apologies everyone: I should have posted with more information. The domain currently has 4 DCs: three that I'm happy with, and one that is nearing the end of life. The one that is nearing the end is the SOA for the domain, and I would like to remove it shortly. I would therefore like one of the other DCs to take over as the SOA. Also, as I'm very new to all this and have only just started in a new job, how do I check if the servers are AD Integrated and a GC? Many Thanks.

Hi, Thanks for update. Actually the workaround could be acquired form the KB article below: How to replace the current primary DNS server with a new primary DNS server in Windows Server 2003 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/323383 And the workaround that regarding with for how to retire a domain controller could be acquired form the links below: Demote a domain controller http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc740017(WS.10).aspx Manage Operations Master Roles http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc776474(WS.10).aspx Ask the Directory Services Team http://blogs.technet.com/b/askds/ Thanks. Tiger Li Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

Go to the properties of DNS zone you will see the zone “type” in the general tab. Santhosh Sivarajan | MCTS, MCSE (W2K3/W2K/NT4), MCSA (W2K3/W2K/MSG), CCNA, Network+ Houston, TX Blogs - http://blogs.sivarajan.com/ Articles - http://www.sivarajan.com/publications.html Twitter: @santhosh_sivara - http://twitter.com/santhosh_sivara This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties,and confers no rights.