introduction
As you know , we have learned in previous article how to Promote Additional Controller ,
SO .. Active Directory Pioneers.lab has two domain controller: DC101 ,DC102 ,
and also we learned how to transfer and seize FSMO
In this article, you’ll discuss how to demote a Windows Server 2016 Domain Controller DC102 from a Pioneers Active Directory infrastructure.
demoting domain controller meaning to remove active directory service from server and back it ot normal server [ previously was called downgrade DC ]
OUR Scenario
In the following scenario, we assume that the Domain Controller DC102 is online, functional and communicates with DC101 . We will also see how the demotion process takes place, both using the Server Manager GUI and PowerShell. Otherwise
Before Demoting
Before demoting : of course we have to transfer ALL FSMO to DC101.pioneers.lab
Also its recommended to use command
Test-ADDSDomainControllerUninstallation
to check if DC is uninstallable
Try to remove ADDS Feature
first we will try to remove ADDS feature
Demote Domain Controller DC102
So…. remove ADDS Feature Failed because we have to demote DC102 First
Remove ADDS Feature
Now we can remove ADDS Feature after demote
Remove DNS server
After successfully remove ADDS And demote DC as normal server
it’s important to remove DNS also
and configure domain computers to use ONLY DNS server 172.16.100.10 either manually or by DHCP if applied
remove server from console Site & services
if server DC102 has NOT been remove from console [site and services ] then we have to do that manually
verify demote DC and remove ADDS & DNS
like any process in pioneers LAB , we have to verify our process DONE successfully