Transfering FSMO roles

Transfering FSMO roles

Microsoft didn’t  impose any rule for  keeping all 5 FSMO roles on same or different servers, But for obtaining maximum performance ,they recommend some suggested configurations.While installing a domain controller using dcpromo ,the first domain controller will hold all the 5 FSMO roles ,later while installing the second DC onwards we can transfer FSMO roles from the current holder to other.

We may need to transfer FSMO roles while demoting any of the DCs . when the original FSMO role holder went offline or became non operational for a long period of time, then we may need to do Seizing of FSMO roles.

However the transfer process is not initiated automatically by the operating system, for example a server in a shut-down state.

ou can transfer FSMO roles by using the Ntdsutil.exe command-line utility or by using an MMC snap-in tool.

Transferring the RID Master, PDC Emulator, and Infrastructure Masters via GUI
To Transfer the Domain-Specific RID Master, PDC Emulator, and Infrastructure Master FSMO Roles:

1. Open the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in from the Administrative Tools folder.
2. If you are NOT logged onto the target domain controller, in the snap-in, right-click the icon next to Active Directory Users and Computers and press Connect to Domain Controller.
3. Select the domain controller that will be the new role holder, the target, and press OK.
4. Right-click the Active Directory Users and Computers icon again and press Operation Masters.
5. Select the appropriate tab for the role you wish to transfer and press the Change button.
6. Press OK to confirm the change.
7. Press OK all the way out.

Transferring the Domain Naming Master via GUI
To Transfer the Domain Naming Master Role:

1. Open the Active Directory Domains and Trusts snap-in from the Administrative Tools folder.
2. If you are NOT logged onto the target domain controller, in the snap-in, right-click the icon next to Active Directory Domains and Trusts and press Connect to Domain Controller.
3. Select the domain controller that will be the new role holder and press OK.
4. Right-click the Active Directory Domains and Trusts icon again and press Operation Masters.
5. Press the Change button.
6. Press OK to confirm the change.
7. Press OK all the way out.

Transferring the Schema Master via GUI

To Transfer the Schema Master Role:

1. Register the Schmmgmt.dll library by pressing Start > RUN and typing:

regsvr32 schmmgmt.dll

1. Press OK. You should receive a success confirmation.
2. From the Run command open an MMC Console by typing MMC.
3. On the Console menu, press Add/Remove Snap-in.
4. Press Add. Select Active Directory Schema.
5. Press Add and press Close. Press OK.
6. If you are NOT logged onto the target domain controller, in the snap-in, right-click the Active Directory Schema icon in the Console Root and press Change Domain Controller.
7. Press Specify .... and type the name of the new role holder. Press OK.
8. Right-click right-click the Active Directory Schema icon again and press Operation Masters.
9. Press the Change button.
10. Press OK all the way out.