Hi We have 2 Windows 2003 DC server on our domain and would like to reinstall the main DC. Is this the correct steps to take. 1. Back up all data on the main server using the NTbackup to HD or tape. 2. Transfer all FSMO and GC to the other DC, not sure how to do all this but can look up in the MS website. 3. DCpromote it down as a member server. 4. Disjoin from the domain. Then reformat it and reinstall windows 2003 server and restore all the data and FSMO and GC back to the main server. I hope the clients machines can still logon while I'm doing the reinstallation. Any suggestion? thanks

Yes, that looks correct. Look up info on ntdsutil for FSMO role seizing. Technically speaking you do not need to do a backup of the DC. AD will get replicated when it is rebuilt and dcpromo'ed to a DC again. Also, make sure the DC you are rebuilding isn't the only DNS server for the domain, and all users are configured to use another DNS server. "Enough, enough bowing down to disillusion! Hats off & applause to rogues & evolution! The ripple effect is too good not to mention. If you’re not affected, you’re not paying attention!"

Well, I am rebuilding the system as I have to back up the data, as it is using raid 5 on 3 HD for the Os and data, I am adding 2 extra HD mirror for the os and 4 HD raid 5 for the data.

If that's just a DC/DNS server, you're probably overdoing it on the HD's. Why are you making this change? Honestly, a DC needs a mirror, and that's probably it. If you're doing this for performance, make the 4 HD array RAID10. The jet DB works better with RAID10 than RAID5. "Enough, enough bowing down to disillusion! Hats off & applause to rogues & evolution! The ripple effect is too good not to mention. If you’re not affected, you’re not paying attention!"

Sorry, I mean raid 10 on the data with 4 HD and mirror on the OS. DO I need to also backup the system state? do I need to restore it or will the other DC replicate the AD and moving the FSMO and GC is all I need once the main DC is back up and running.?

"Technically speaking you do not need to do a backup of the DC. AD will get replicated when it is rebuilt and dcpromo'ed to a DC again." "Enough, enough bowing down to disillusion! Hats off & applause to rogues & evolution! The ripple effect is too good not to mention. If you’re not affected, you’re not paying attention!"

Yes, I know but the data is also on the hd, I will be reformatiing all the hd. So I need to backup the data