A member server in Windows Server 2008/2003/2000 architecture can be renamed in the standard way in the System Properties section. The domain controller implies the use of the special built-in netdom command.
Instructions
Step 1
Make sure that the functional level of the domain you are using is Windows Server 2003 or higher and that you have administrator rights in the Domain Admins group. Please note that the use of the built-in netdom utility does not imply mandatory use on the controller, but can be done from any computer. Remember that a prerequisite for a successful domain controller rename is to reboot the selected domain controller after the operation is complete.
Step 2
Enter the value netdom computername domain_controller_name.domain_name /add:new_domain_controller_name.domain_name in the command line text box to perform the renaming procedure. This command will change the value of the SPN attribute in Active Directory and replicate the selected value to all servers in the domain. Failure to do so may result in the inability to find the domain controller by clients under the old or new name.
Step 3
Make sure to add the desired new name value on the required object. To do this, call its context menu by clicking the right mouse button and select the "Properties" item. Define a parameter named msDS-AdditionalDnsHostName and use the syntax of the netdom command computername old_domain_controller_name.domain_name / makeprimary: new_domain_controller_name.domain_name. Redefine the previously found parameter and verify that the old controller name is present.
Step 4
Restart the computer and use the syntax netdom computername new_domain_controller_name.domain_name /remove: old_domain_controller_name.domain_name at the command line to remove the old name value from all DNS servers of the selected domain.
