FSMO (Flexible Single Master Operations)

Support Notes in using Windows Server 2008

FSMO (Flexible Single Master Operations)

Postby stephen » Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:42 pm

When looking for tools to manage/monitor the Active Directory I cam across this useful site.

Windows Server 2003 - FSMO - Advice

http://www.computerperformance.co.uk/w2k3/W2K3_FSMO_Advice.htm

Troubleshooting Toolkit

DCDiag - Not only does DCDiag have a routing to check the FSMOs but it also provides information on Active Directory replication. As ever with troubleshooting, you want to get to the root cause not merely treat one of the symptoms.

NetDOM - It's a close call whether to run NetDOM before or after DCDiag, the answer partly depends on whether NetDom is already installed or if you need to get it from the Windows Server 2003 Support tools.

From the command line type netdom query fsmo. You should see a list of the of the 5 roles with the corresponding Domain Controller.

DNS - Excuse what may seem like a digression, but it never ceases to amaze me how often faulty DNS configuration is the source of an Active Directory problem. Therefore, head for the DNS snap-in and observe that all settings are as expected. Remember the Monitor to tab. Make sure that each DNS server is registering itself and registering with other DNS Servers.

DCPROMO - Rather drastic, but sometimes just running this program to demote a Domain Controller creates error messages, which are handy additional sources of information. If there are no error messages, you may just choose to cancel. However, if you go ahead and run DCPROMO to demote a domain controller, watch out for a check box that says 'This is the last domain controller in the domain'. If that box is UNchecked the wizard will automatically move any FSMO roles to another domain controller.

NTDSUTIL - Powerful Command Line tool, note the Seize verb See here for more about transferring FSMO roles with NTDSUTIL.
stephen
 
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