Link to home
Start Free TrialLog in
Avatar of aamirahmad
aamirahmad

asked on

moving physical dns servers to virtual

We currently have two physical AD integrated dns domain controllers (GC) windows 2003 standard R2 SP2 and would like to move DNS onto our two virtial domain controllers (GC). We have VMware 4.1 ESxi installed.
We would like to transfer prinmary and secondary DNS to our virtual domain controllers.
What is the best approach to this?
Also can you recomend the removal of the physical DNS once we have tranferrred to virtual DC's .
Avatar of coolsport00
coolsport00
Flag of United States of America image

If your DNS servers are AD-Integrated, yes...it's as easy as enabling DNS on your virtual machine DCs. DNS will be replicated to them.

~coolsport00
So, go into DNS on your current physical ones and see if they are set to 'AD Integrated'. If not, configure to do so. Once done, let replication happen (1hr is a good safe wait). Then, enable DNS on your virtual machine DCs and let DNS replicate to them. Once replicated, remove DNS from your secondary physical DNS server, then DCPROMO it to decommission it as a DC. Make 1 of your VM DCs the secondary DNS. Make the other VM DC the primary DNS, then remove DNS from the physical DNS box. DCPROMO that, then you should be good to go. Your phys boxes are now member servers. You can remove from the domain and decom fully however you deem necessary.

~coolsport00
Avatar of Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)
Just Add the DNS roles to your new virtual servers, wait for replication.

Update DHCP scopes, and DCs with new IP addresses, I would then wait a week or two, test and decommission, by removing DNS from servers if required.
Avatar of aamirahmad
aamirahmad

ASKER

Thanks for this. Would I transfer the FSMO roles over before dns and dhcp? or after?
Yes, if these DCs have FSMO roles (didn't mention that initially) :) Transfer them first...best to split up the roles so they're not all on 1 DC, then perform the steps listed above.

Regards,
~coolsport00
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Avatar of Steve
Steve
Flag of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland image

Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial