It's basically a Migration. You would setup the new domain/forest with
a completely separate and different name. You won't even be able to
use the first part of the name, such as domain.com, you can't make it
domain.loca, because the first part of the name will become the
NetBIOS name. The two NetBIOS domain names will conflict when
installed on the same wire. And the tool you would need, ADMT (AD
MIgration Tool), requires NetBIOS connectivity.
Also, if you have Exchange, that will be another complexity, depending
on which version you have.
YOu can also go for a rename, but then again, Exchange interoduces a
complexity with this, too, and furthermore, Exchange 2007 & 2010 do
not support rename. The following is my blog on a rename, if you want
to look into a rename.
Domain Rename With or Without Exchange
http://msmvps.com/blogs/acefekay/arc...-exchange.aspx
As for an AD Migration, the following should help to understand what
is involved. I've also included Exchange information, too, since I
don't know if you have Exchange in use or not.
Active Directory Migration Using ADMT 3.1
http://www.sivarajan.com/admt.html
ADMT v3.1 Guide: Migrating and Restructuring Active Directory Domains
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
Active Directory Migration Tool version 3.1
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
Password Export Server version 3.1 (x86)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
Password Export Server version 3.1 (x64)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
Domain Migration Cookbook - Index and Cover:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro.../cookintr.mspx
ADMT requires a two way trust between the forests - Create a trust
between
the two forests
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../cc780479.aspx
For Exchange mailbox moves...
You Had Me At EHLO... : Exchange 2007 Cross Org Mailbox
MigrationExchange
Migration Wizard was used to perform this task in Exchange 2003.
Exchange
2007 has incorporated Cross Org migrations into the ...
http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/20...02/430289.aspx
If Exchange 2003 is involved, you can use the Exmerge tool. If
Exchange 2007
is involved, you would need to use the MoveMailbox method from the
source
org to the target org after
migrating user accounts.
This is a weak overview of the mailbox move:
http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarge...exchange-2007/
How to Move a Mailbox Across Forests
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../aa997145.aspx
AD and Exchange Consolidation
http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarge...consolidation/
Inter-Forest Migration/Consolidation
http://forums.techarena.in/active-directory/1135548.htm
Deciding to Consolidate Exchange Messaging Systems
http://technet.microsoft.com/hi-in/l...EXCHG.65).aspx
Server Consolidation Recommendations
http://technet.microsoft.com/hi-in/l...EXCHG.65).aspx
If using the Quest tools (recommended), read this for an idea of what
to
expect, time per GB, etc. Thread: QMM throughput question
http://migration.inside.quest.com/th...essageID=27243
I hope that helps.
Ace
On Tue, 20 Apr 2010 04:45:01 -0700, Mehdis
<> wrote:
>I see what you mean. In 3-4 months time we do actually plan on upgrading from
>Windows Server 2003 to 2008 so perhaps this would be an ideal opportunity to
>make the change? If we do decide to make the change, in brief, what would be
>the procedure to alter the DNS name during the migration process? I'm still
>doing some reading on this but any guidance from anyone would be great.
>
>Thanks again.
>
>"Ace Fekay [MVP - Directory Services]" wrote:
>
>> On Mon, 19 Apr 2010 07:25:01 -0700, Mehdis
>> <> wrote:
>>
>> >Yes thats right, company.com is our AD DNS domain name. What I mean by
>> >logical is that having .local for internal use and .com for external would
>> >highlight that internal & external DNS serves different purposes - it just
>> >saves confusion. With company.local internally and company.com externally,
>> >its easy to visualize what you are trying to connect to. All the public
>> >facing services like www, mail & ftp will all be associated with .com
>> >addresses over the Internet. Internal services like servers & internal e-mail
>> >will be associated with .local dns servers. I realise that it may not be
>> >neccessary for us to change the zone name as we dont have any issues with
>> >what we have already. It's just a matter of choice. Would this still need a
>> >complete migration?
>> >
>> >Thanks again.
>> >
>>
>>
>> Hello Mehdis,
>>
>> Yes, unfortunately it would require a migration. The TLD change is
>> basically a completely different DNS name and would be a major change.
>> It is not that simple to just change the name and AD work as to what
>> you are desiring to do.
>>
>> I would suggest and recommend to just leave it alone if everything is
>> working.
>>
>> Ace
>> .
>>