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Decommissioning old domain controller. Anything to double check?

I currently have 4 domain controllers in one site. I am also running Exchange 2010. It is NOT installed on any of the domain controllers.

Domain Controllers:
DC1 - Win 2003 - Global Catalog - DNS server - Holds FSMO roles
DC2 - Win 2003 - DNS server
DC4 - Win 2008 R2 - Global Catalog - DNS server
DC2008 - WIn 2008 R2 - Global Catalog - DNS server

I want to demote DC2 and then decommission it. If there anything in particular I should double check before running DCPromo to demote it?

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amac81

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Seth Simmons

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donohoe1

ASKER

Already done. We've also waiting well last the DHCP lease period to ensure all clients have the new (non-DC2) settings.

Sorry I forgot to mention that.

amac81

Then sounds like you're ready for dcpromo.

donohoe1

ASKER

I'm mostly just worried about it affecting our Exchange 2010 environment in some way. I've heard a couple horror stories about demoting a DC taking down Exchange 2010.

Suliman Abu Kharroub

Just make sure that all FSMO are hosted in DC01:
Run: netdom query fsmo

Then check the domain using dcdiag if there is any issue to be solved before the demotion.

donohoe1

ASKER

We're good on both counts.

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Suliman Abu Kharroub

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donohoe1

ASKER

Done. I also checked each Exchange server to make sure its preferred DC wasn't DC2.

amac81

You could power off DC2 and see if Exchange tosses any errors. Wait an hour or two or until tomorrow and then power it on then run the DCpromo.