FSMO/Schema Master Problem

Hey all,

Trying to move the move the OM from old one DC to the new PDC, problem is
that it states the Schema Master is offline. I don't know why the Schema is
offline or how to get it back online, or where to look to try to get it back
online. I have read that you can sieze control, but that is a last resort.
Server A says it is the OM for Schema Master and Server B says it is the OM
for Schemam Master...i believe this is where my problem lies, but do not
know how to fix it

Environment is 2003 Server running in 2000 Compatibility mode.

Thanks

 

Hello

Where do you find out both are assigned Schema Master FSMO?

This article contains a sample script that outputs the Flexible Single
Master of Operations (FSMO) role owners for a specified domain or domain
controller.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;235617

Built-in command line based "dsquery server", can be used with the syntax
below.
-hasfsmo {schema | name | infr | pdc | rid}

--
Regards
Christoffer Andersson
Microsoft MVP - Directory Services

No email replies please - reply in the newsgroup

 

I look in the Active Directory Schema MMC. I right click and choose OM,
each server is listed as its own Schema Master, but both are offline. If I
try to transfer i get this error:

"The requested FSMO operation failed. The current FSMO holder could not be
contacted. The current opertions master cannot be contacted to perform the
transfer. Under some circumstances, a forced transfer can be performed. Do
you wish to attempt a forced transfer?"

I hit no, because as I understand it forced transfer is very bad.

 

That is correct, I recommend you to try a demote of one DC and then promote
it back.

--
Regards
Christoffer Andersson
Microsoft MVP - Directory Services

No email replies please - reply in the newsgroup

 

would you reccommmend demoting the PDC or the BDC ?

 

There is no PDC or BDC in Windows2000 and later domains. There is a FSMO
role called PDC, I recommend to demote the DC thats not the current holder
of the PDC FSMO role, if there is other FSMO roles to the DC to select to
demote, try transfer them to the other one.

--
Regards
Christoffer Andersson
Microsoft MVP - Directory Services

No email replies please - reply in the newsgroup

 

We tried to transfer them already with no luck. Once we demote won't the
roles be trqnsferred/picked up by the remaining DC ?

 

Yes they will.

Regards,
/Jimmy
--
Jimmy Andersson, Q Advice AB
Microsoft MVP - Directory Services
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