Re: Script to Rename Computer Name in Domain


Richard Mueller [MVP] wrote:

Skepper wrote:


i looking a script to rename computer name in domain server 2003

something in VB + MassageBox [Enter New Computer Name]

include user name + password to change it (domain remember ...)



To rename a computer you bind to the parent OU/Container of the
computer object in AD and use the MoveHere method. See this link:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter/scripts/ad/computer/cptr
vb13.mspx

This changes the "Common Name" of the object. If you want to rename
the local computer (change the NetBIOS name), you must run a script
must run a script locally at the computer that uses WMI. See this
link:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter/scripts/ad/computer/cptr
vb14.mspx

In either case, you can prompt for the new name with an InputBox
statement in VBScript. I assume you intend the script to be run at
the computer in question. Otherwise, you would need to also prompt
for the current name. Assuming the script is run locally, and you are
changing the Common Name, the VBScript program could be similar to:
========== Option Explicit

Dim objSysInfo, strComputerDN, objComputer
Dim strNewName, strParentAdsPath, objParent

' Prompt for new computer name.
strNewName = InputBox("Enter new computer name")

' Retrieve local computer Distinguished Name.
Set objSysInfo = CreateObject("ADSystemInfo")
strComputerDN = objSysInfo.ComputerName

' Bind to the local computer object.
Set objComputer = GetObject("LDAP://"; & strComputerDN)

' Bind to the parent OU/container of computer object.
strParentAdsPath = objComputer.Parent
Set objParent = GetObject(strParentAdsPath)

' Rename the computer object.
objParent.MoveHere objComputer.AdsPath, "cn=" & strNewName)
========
The above assumes the user has permissions to rename the computer
object. If not, you can use alternate credentials. I would recommend
prompting for the credentials, rather than hard coding a password in
the script. For example, you would need the additional code below
(assumes you have already assigned a value to variable
strComputerDN): ========= Option Explicit

Dim objSysInfo, strComputerDN, objComputer
Dim strNewName, strParentAdsPath, objParent
Dim strUser, strPassword, objNS

Const ADS_SECURE_AUTHENTICATION = &H1
Const ADS_SERVER_BIND = &H200

' Prompt for new computer name.
strNewName = InputBox("Enter new computer name")

' Prompt for administrator user name and password.
strUser = InputBox("Enter admin user name in form Domain\AdmName")
strPassword = InputBox("Enter password")

' Retrieve local computer Distinguished Name.
Set objSysInfo = CreateObject("ADSystemInfo")
strComputerDN = objSysInfo.ComputerName

' Bind to the local computer object.
Set objComputer = GetObject("LDAP://"; & strComputerDN)

' Bind to the parent OU/container of computer object using alternate
credentials. strParentAdsPath = objComputer.Parent
Set objNS = GetObject("LDAP:")
Set objParent = objNS.OpenDSObject(strParentAdsPath, strUser,
strPassword, _ ADS_SERVER_BIND Or ADS_SECURE_AUTHENTICATION)

' Rename the computer object.
objParent.MoveHere objComputer.AdsPath, "cn=" & strNewName)
========
The user name can be in the format

<NT name of user>\<NetBIOS name of domain>

where the NT name of the user is the "pre-Windows 2000 logon name"
(sAMAccountName). Or it can be the Distinguished Name of the user, or
it can be the userPrincipalName, such as "jsmith@xxxxxxxxxxxx".

If you want to change the NetBIOS name of the computer (per the
second link above) using WMI, you would provide alternate credentials
using the SWbemLocator object. See this link:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter/guide/sas_wmi_ciga.mspx

I think a much easier method is to use the Netdom resource kit utility
which is easily scripted and can be done remotely.

--

.

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