RE: Basic Qs FSMT : Can I re-use the same computername on target serve

Tech Tip: Click here to run a free scan for Windows Errors and optimize PC performance

From: Frances [MSFT] (v-franhe_at_microsoft.com)
Date: 02/02/05 

Date: Wed, 02 Feb 2005 10:54:00 GMT

Hello,

Good to hear from you.

I understand your main concern is to migrate your file server from win2k to
win2k3. You want the process is transparent to the clients. Is this correct?

To achieve your goal, you have 2 options.

Option 1:
======
1.Use FSMT to migrate the file server from 2k to 2k3.
Note: the names of the win2k server and win2k3 server are different.

2.Check that the permissions remain.
Make sure the migration is successful.

3.Take off the win2k file server.

4.Rename the win2k3 file server with the name of the win2k file server.
Note: the win2k3 file server must not be a DC. Since to rename a DC is
complicated.

Refer to the article below to rename the win2k3 file server. Although the
article is regard to winXP, it also applies to win2k3.

How To Use the Netdom.exe Utility to Rename a Computer in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/298593/EN-US/

Option 2:
======
1.Use DFS Consolidation Root Wizard.
This tool enable users who attempt to access the original UNC path of the
files to be redirected to the DFS root server that hosts the namespace.

2.Use FSMT to migrate the file server from 2k to 2k3.
In this way, the win2k3 file server doesn't have the same name with the
original win2k file server. However, the clients are not aware of it. They
can still access the resources using the original UNC path.

I recommend you use option 1 as the DFS will cause some potential problems.
As for your questions, I would like to answer them in order.

Q0. As I only have a server-to-server mirgation to perform, I assumed that
DFS is not necessary at this point in time or is this a must to re-use the
computername on the new target server ?

A: If you want to reuse the computer name, please do not use the DFS
Consolidation Root Wizard. Please know that reusing the file server name
and using DFS consolidation root wizard are two different options which
help you to achieve your goal.

Q1. Can I introduce DFS long after the migration to the new server or do
you recommend to do it now in my particular case? I remain with the
impression that DFS only becomes handy when using more than one file
server. If not, please convince me why not.

A: DFS can be used with one file server. Regarding your scenario, I suggest
that you do not use the DFS now. Because renaming the win2k3 file server is
easy and will avoid some potential problems with DFS.

Q2. Is the FSMT also taking care of renaming the computername of the file
server ? If not what are the best chronological steps to follow in order to
re-use the same computername of the source file server on the new target
server ?

A: FSMT cannot help to rename the computer name. Please refer to option 1
for more detail.

Hope this helps. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to get
in touch!

Best regards,

Frances He

Microsoft Online Partner Support
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security

=====================================================

When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.

=====================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Relevant Pages

  • Win2k server doesnt propogate security settings to Win2k3
    ... I set some security settings on ... the domain, and they propogated down to the win2k client, ... but not to the Win2k3 file server. ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.security)
  • Re: DFS architecture
    ... Windows XP you cannot access local files mapped through DFS. ... So remote files and local files can be part of the same tree hierarchy. ... A happens to be the file server of course. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.general)
  • RE: Basic Qs FSMT : Can I re-use the same computername on target s
    ... folder named exactly the same as the computername of the source server. ... in the FSMT. ... the win2k3 file server must not be a DC. ... > files to be redirected to the DFS root server that hosts the namespace. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.migration)
  • GPO Stopped on One Server
    ... the DFS root and file server for all staff. ... DFS has been working for a year. ... Any advice on why this member server is timing out on binding to the domain ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.group_policy)
  • Re: AD & DFS
    ... we have lots of info on DFS and FRS up on www.microsoft.com/dfs. ... the file server shares is approximatly 500GB's). ... For example...if I create the> replicas, and then a user adds a 200MB file to one of the DFS replicas, is> the file replications service going to saturate my T3 ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.active_directory)