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Changing domain name on single domain

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6 replies

by shaun

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How difficult is it to change the domain name on a win 2000 network runnring Small Business Server. Need to change the email domain name in exchange server 2000. If not too difficult, what would the steps look like or where could i find them?

Thank You

6 replies

by d.walker5

To the best of my knowledge, it is not possible to Rename a Domain in Windows 2000. The changes in AD are to extensive. Exchange 2000 is closly linked to AD so making changes to an production server, while not impossible, would be extremely difficult. Windows 2003 does allow for Domain name changes.

by winterfrost

d.walker5 is correct. It is not possible to rename a Windows 2000 domain. In the case of SBS, you would have to rebuild the server and Active Directory from scratch.

However, if you just want to change your default email domain, that is an entirely different matter:

- Start Exchange System Manager.
- Browse to Recipients -> Recipient Policies
- In the right-hand pane, right-click on "Default Policy" and select Properties.
- Click on the "E-Mail Addresses (Policy)" tab.
- Click the "New" button.
- Choose "SMTP Address" (I'm assuming this is Internet/SMTP email?).
- In the Address field enter the format for the new email addresses. An example would be "@domain.com" if you just wanted email addresses of @domain.com. Or if you want @domain.com, you would enter "%g1%s@domain.com" (without the quotes). (See Microsoft article 285136 for more options.)
- Ensure "This Exchange Organization is responsible for all mail delivery to this address" is checked.
- Click OK.
- In the address list ensure the newly entered address is checked.

This will enable you to accept messages to this domain.

I'm not sure if you want this to be your new "default" email address for users in your domain? If so, you must also choose "Set as Primary". When you click OK, it will prompt you if you want to update all users with this new setting.

According to how your DNS is handled (internal/external?) you may also want to make changes there.

by winterfrost

I should also mention that the address updates can take some time -- they are not instantaneous.

If you need help with changing your DNS configuration so Internet email to the new domain can find your server, I can provide some pointers.

winterfrost.geo@yahoo.com

by shaun

That helped tremendously. As that is exactly what i am trying to accomplish.

Thank you so much.

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