DC Locator

I beleive that in Windows Server 2008, the dc locator periodically searches
for the domain controller in the domain. Where does this information get
updated..any registry value? Can the name of a dc be modified using a
registry key?

Hello Jane,

See this really good article about the DCLocator process:
http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/jorge...?q=locator&p=1

It should answer all your questions.

A DCs name cannot be changed with the registry, a DC must be renamed with
netdom command line depending on the OS with it's correct version.

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights.
** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm


> I beleive that in Windows Server 2008, the dc locator periodically
> searches for the domain controller in the domain. Where does this
> information get updated..any registry value? Can the name of a dc be
> modified using a registry key?
>

I will go thjrough the link, however you got me wrong.

I want to know two things:
Can the DC Name in the cache be viewed?
Can the cahce can be manually updated i.e. add an alternate domain
controller name
using some registry key

"Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]" <meiweb@(nospam)gmx.de> wrote in message
news: .com...
> Hello Jane,
>
> See this really good article about the DCLocator process:
> http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/jorge...?q=locator&p=1
>
> It should answer all your questions.
>
> A DCs name cannot be changed with the registry, a DC must be renamed with
> netdom command line depending on the OS with it's correct version.
>
> Best regards
>
> Meinolf Weber
> Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
> confers no rights.
> ** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
> ** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
>
>> I beleive that in Windows Server 2008, the dc locator periodically
>> searches for the domain controller in the domain. Where does this
>> information get updated..any registry value? Can the name of a dc be
>> modified using a registry key?
>>
>
>

>>
>>> I beleive that in Windows Server 2008, the dc locator periodically
>>> searches for the domain controller in the domain. Where does this
>>> information get updated..any registry value? Can the name of a dc be
>>> modified using a registry key?
>>>
>>
>>
>
>> "Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]" <meiweb@(nospam)gmx.de> wrote in message
>> news: .com...
>> Hello Jane,
>>
>> See this really good article about the DCLocator process:
>> http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/jorge...?q=locator&p=1
>>
>> It should answer all your questions.
>>
>> A DCs name cannot be changed with the registry, a DC must be renamed with
>> netdom command line depending on the OS with it's correct version.
>>
>> Best regards
>>
>> Meinolf Weber
>> Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
>> confers no rights.
>> ** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
>> ** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

> On Mon, 3 May 2010 18:10:12 +0530, "Jane" <> wrote:

>I will go thjrough the link, however you got me wrong.
>
>I want to know two things:
>Can the DC Name in the cache be viewed?
>Can the cahce can be manually updated i.e. add an alternate domain
>controller name
>using some registry key
>


Are you trying to *add* a name for an application to use as an
alternate name?

If so, I can see how that relates to understanding the DC locator
process. The DC Locator processes is ALL DNS based, using SRV records
(including Sites, if configured).

I'm not sure what you mean by viewing the DC name in the cache? You
mean the local client cache when running an "ipconfig /displaydns?" Or
do you mean the DNS server cache?

Cache cannot be manipulated. However, the local client side DNS cache
can be populated by using HOSTS files, however, HOSTS files do not
work with Active Directory. If you are talking about the DNS server
cache, no that can't be manipulated. It caches responses from clients.

If you are simply trying to set an alternate name, it can be done,
however, it may or may not work, and can cause confusion. There are a
couple of ways, depending on the type of name you want. If it is a
hostname, you can create a CNAME. It's not guaranteed to work,
depending on your goals and the application in question. You can also
use the netdom utility to provide an alternate name. This is not
guaranteed either.

Run:
netdom computername ServerA /add:ServerB.domain.local

How to use Netdom with computer names:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l...82(WS.10).aspx

If you can provide specifics on your goals, that would better help
undertstanding your intentions to come up with a more specific
response.




Ace

This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and confers no rights.

Please reply back to the newsgroup or forum for collaboration benefit among responding engineers, and to help others benefit from your resolution.

Ace Fekay, MVP, MCT, MCITP EA, MCTS Windows 2008 & Exchange 2007, MCSE & MCSA 2003/2000, MCSA Messaging 2003
Microsoft Certified Trainer
Microsoft MVP - Directory Services

If you feel this is an urgent issue and require immediate assistance, please contact Microsoft PSS directly. Please check http://support.microsoft.com for regional support phone numbers.

On Mon, 03 May 2010 09:45:30 -0400, "Ace Fekay [MVP - Directory
Services, MCT]" <> wrote:

>>>
>>>> I beleive that in Windows Server 2008, the dc locator periodically
>>>> searches for the domain controller in the domain. Where does this
>>>> information get updated..any registry value? Can the name of a dc be
>>>> modified using a registry key?
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>> "Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]" <meiweb@(nospam)gmx.de> wrote in message
>>> news: .com...
>>> Hello Jane,
>>>
>>> See this really good article about the DCLocator process:
>>> http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/jorge...?q=locator&p=1
>>>
>>> It should answer all your questions.
>>>
>>> A DCs name cannot be changed with the registry, a DC must be renamed with
>>> netdom command line depending on the OS with it's correct version.
>>>
>>> Best regards
>>>
>>> Meinolf Weber
>>> Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
>>> confers no rights.
>>> ** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
>>> ** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
>
>> On Mon, 3 May 2010 18:10:12 +0530, "Jane" <> wrote:
>
>>I will go thjrough the link, however you got me wrong.
>>
>>I want to know two things:
>>Can the DC Name in the cache be viewed?
>>Can the cahce can be manually updated i.e. add an alternate domain
>>controller name
>>using some registry key
>>
>
>
>Are you trying to *add* a name for an application to use as an
>alternate name?
>
>If so, I can see how that relates to understanding the DC locator
>process. The DC Locator processes is ALL DNS based, using SRV records
>(including Sites, if configured).
>
>I'm not sure what you mean by viewing the DC name in the cache? You
>mean the local client cache when running an "ipconfig /displaydns?" Or
>do you mean the DNS server cache?
>
>Cache cannot be manipulated. However, the local client side DNS cache
>can be populated by using HOSTS files, however, HOSTS files do not
>work with Active Directory. If you are talking about the DNS server
>cache, no that can't be manipulated. It caches responses from clients.
>
>If you are simply trying to set an alternate name, it can be done,
>however, it may or may not work, and can cause confusion. There are a
>couple of ways, depending on the type of name you want. If it is a
>hostname, you can create a CNAME. It's not guaranteed to work,
>depending on your goals and the application in question. You can also
>use the netdom utility to provide an alternate name. This is not
>guaranteed either.
>
>Run:
>netdom computername ServerA /add:ServerB.domain.local
>
>How to use Netdom with computer names:
>http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l...82(WS.10).aspx
>
>If you can provide specifics on your goals, that would better help
>undertstanding your intentions to come up with a more specific
>response.
>
>
>

I just wanted to add, there are other options in the registry, too.

You can set the OptionalName value and other optional names in the
registry,

One example is creating a MultiSting value called OptionalNames and
enter the the alternate name you want in the following section:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\lanmanserver\parameters.

This should work for simple file sharing, but may not for other
things, depending on the application or the intentions.

The following article provides more info on optional names. The above
example is in this article, as well as other options for setting
multiple names.

Distributed File System update to support consolidation roots in
Windows Server 2003
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/829885

Ace

This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and confers no rights.

Please reply back to the newsgroup or forum for collaboration benefit among responding engineers, and to help others benefit from your resolution.

Ace Fekay, MVP, MCT, MCITP EA, MCTS Windows 2008 & Exchange 2007, MCSE & MCSA 2003/2000, MCSA Messaging 2003
Microsoft Certified Trainer
Microsoft MVP - Directory Services

If you feel this is an urgent issue and require immediate assistance, please contact Microsoft PSS directly. Please check http://support.microsoft.com for regional support phone numbers.