Active Directory Domain Services 2008 : Transfer the Domain Naming Master Role

Scenario/Problem: Each Active Directory Domain Services forest has a single domain controller that is authoritative for domain naming. This domain controller is called the domain naming master and is responsible for making changes to the forest-wide domain name space of the directory. This role can be enabled on only a single domain controller in the forest root domain. When you first install AD DS, the first domain controller you introduce into the forest holds this role. You might need to transfer this role from one domain controller to another.

Solution: The domain naming master operations master role can be transferred by using the Windows interface or the command line.

Transfer the Domain Naming Master Role by Using the Windows Interface

To transfer the domain naming master role by using the Windows interface, perform the following steps:

1.	Log on to a domain controller or a member computer that has Windows Server 2008 RSAT installed.
2.	Click Start, click Administrative Tools, and click Active Directory Domains and Trusts.
3.	Right-click the Active Directory Domains and Trusts node in the console tree; then select Change Active Directory Domain Controller, as shown in Figure 1. Figure 1. Active Directory Domains and Trusts console.
4.	On the Change Directory Server page, shown in Figure 2, select the domain controller to which you want to transfer the domain naming master role; then click OK. Figure 2. Change Directory Server page.
5.	Right-click the Active Directory Domains and Trust node in the console tree and select Operations Master.
6.	On the Operations Master window, ensure the domain controller you selected in Step 4 is listed as the targeted server, as shown in Figure 3, and click Change. Figure 3. The Operations Master Window.
7.	On the confirmation screen, click Yes.
8.	A message displays that indicates the operation completed successfully.

Transfer the Domain Naming Master Role by Using the Command Line

To transfer the domain naming master role by using the command line, perform the following steps: