rename domain – single Windows 2003 server – should be easy, right?

Been reading a lot of articles for renaming domains (from abc.com to xyz.com). According to MS article, I should have another server as a control server to use Domain Rename Tool. Do i really have to have a control server? So I have to build another server just to use the tool? I have a single server, no Exchange installed, and only hosting one application. Thoughts?