Win2000 Server Rebuild - Requires each workstation to be 're-added' to domain - Why??

[David_Jones]

Hi,

Our external IT suppliers are helping us to work through some network configuration changes.

They have indicated that when we move to RAID-5, it might be a good opportunity to rebuild the entire system to improve on system configuration. I accept that point, and for the purposes of this discussion, lets take it that this is a good idea.

However, they have told me that in doing so, we (or they) will need to visit each of the workstations (running Win2000 Pro or XP Pro) so that it can be added back to the domain since although the domain is not changing, the 'security environment' will.

I do not understand why this should be so, and since we will (probably) be paying them to do it, I need to be able to explain this to my colleaugues - something I need help to do!

Can anyone explain what is going on that makes those workstations require a visit, and if it really is necessary, how long it should take on each one?

Thanks,

David.

[2000watts]

You will need to re add the systems so that they can be added to active directory. This will allow for overall system management such as deploying group policies.

[David_Jones]

Hi,

I can see that we need to add each of the workstations / users / other objects back to the AD, but why do we need to do anything on the workstations themselves?

Isn't that just something to be done in the AD tree at the server end?

Perhaps I am not really understanding AD very well?

Thanks,

David.

[cobra]

It's a little complicated. Even thought your domain might stay the same "name", the security aspect and actual "computer" accounts will have to be put back into the new domain when it is created AFTER the server is rebuilt. You can't just expect the DC to pick up where it left off...too much going on behind the scenes.
Good luck!