How to Rename the NetBIOS Computer Name of Controllers That Are Targets for DFS Root and Links (279067)

MORE INFORMATION

Renaming a Computer Name That Is Hosting a Standalone DFS

The impact of renaming the NetBIOS computer name of a Windows 2000 workgroup or member server that is hosting a standalone DFS is minimal. Any references to the original computer name in the DFS namespace should be removed, and then re-added with the correct name. Define the standalone root by using the new NetBIOS name for the root server.

Renaming the Computer Name of a Server in a Domain DFS

Best Practice

If the server to be renamed is a Root replica of a domain-based DFS, the best practice is to remove the target from the root replica list before you change the NetBIOS computer name. Failure to remove the computer name prior to the name change results in the following:

1. DFS will continue to assume that the originally-configured server exists, and passes this Root replica information to the clients.
2. The server will continue to assume that it is a DFS root, so it cannot be a Root for any other DFS. However, because the name of the server has changed, no DFS client will ever access this computer.
3. Assigning the original computer name to a new server in the DFS snap-in will cause DFS clients to go to the new target. However, the new computer will not be able to provide the clients with seamless access to the entire DFS namespace because it does not realize that it is a DFS root.
4. Clients will see an inconsistent behavior when they access the DFS namespace, depending on which Root replica is chosen.

Preferred Recovery

If a server that is hosting a DFS root replica is renamed without first removing it from the Root replica list, DFS will have to be repaired by using the following steps:

1. If it is possible, the name of the server should be changed back to its original NetBIOS name.
2. Remove the computer from all DFS nodes in the DFS namespace by using the DFS user interface.
3. Rename the server to the desired name, and the new server can be added back as a Root replica for that DFS.

Alternate Recovery

When it is not possible to revert back to the original name, you can use the following steps to repair DFS:

1. From any client in the domain, run the DFSUTIL /unmap:\\Fully Qualified Domain Name\DFS Root name /ROOT:\\old server name\Share command.
2. From a command prompt on the renamed computer, run the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command:

   DFSUTIL /clean:new computer name
   DFSUTIL /reinit:new computer name
   net stop dfs & net start dfs

3. From any client in the domain, add the renamed computer as a DFS root replica of any DFS in the same domain.