Step 1. Backup. You should already have EVERYTHING backed up, but chances are you don’t. Or you don’t trust what you do have. Or you haven’t tested your backups. So, backup your domain controllers PRIOR to any major changes.
Step 2. Generate the current FOREST description XML file called domainlist.xml. This XML file contains a textual description of your domain. At the command prompt, enter: RENDOM /LIST
Step 3. Edit domainlist.xml. You can make a backup copy of the file first, but basically open the file up directly and edit it. You only need to change the domain name portions. My file sample is below. Change only the items that I have in BOLD.
<?xml version ="1.0"?>
<Forest>
<Domain>
<!– PartitionType:Application –>
<Guid>6d44b011-f29f-4455-9ae8-becca5ed6cc7</Guid>
<DNSname>ForestDnsZones.NAME.ORG</DNSname>
<NetBiosName></NetBiosName>
<DcName></DcName>
</Domain>
<Domain>
<!– PartitionType:Application –>
<Guid>199b277c-49f8-4909-8fbc-615f287fdfaf</Guid>
<DNSname>DomainDnsZones.NAME.ORG</DNSname>
<NetBiosName></NetBiosName>
<DcName></DcName>
</Domain>
<Domain>
<!– ForestRoot –>
<Guid>9a142cae-6b56-485c-85bf-06e3978271cb</Guid>
<DNSname>NAME.ORG</DNSname>
<NetBiosName>NAME</NetBiosName>
<DcName></DcName>
</Domain>
</Forest>
Step 4. Upload the instructions. Using RENDOM to generate and upload the instruction list is as simple as: RENDOM /UPLOAD
Step 5. Verify readiness by using: RENDOM / PREPARE
Step 6. Let it rip with: RENDOM /EXECUTE
Step 7. Restart your domain controller and test, test, test, test, and then test some more…
