computer name change

Question

computer name change

sqlfriend

SSC Guru

Points: 52781
More actions
December 2, 2010 at 12:37 pm

#149426

We are going to switch current existing server to a new virtual server. And we will get rid of current one.
Then we will change the computer name for the new one as the old server computer name.
I read some articles about how to rename sql server after renaming computer, by using sp_dropserver,
Sp_addserver.
But my question is a step before this, since I never rename a computer before , esp, there is another computer existing in the domain.
What is the step to do it?
And also in case there is some failure for the new server, and we want to restore the old server, how the name will be related with this?

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 18 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply

Adiga One Orange Chip Points: 27284 More actions · Answer 1

If a computer name already exists on the network, it will not allow you to change the computer name. If you run into any problems after changing the server name, you can always change the computer name back to original and rename SQL Server using dropserver and addserver method.

Pradeep Adiga
Blog: sqldbadiaries.com
Twitter: @pradeepadiga

sqlfriend SSC Guru Points: 52781 More actions · Answer 2

Thanks, so if the name exists,(for our case it is, because it's current exiting one) what steps I should take to delete the exiting one?

Or just turn it off, it will work?

if delete, delete in AD? DNS? or both? and where else?

Thank you

Adiga One Orange Chip Points: 27284 More actions · Answer 3

First rename that computer. That would take care of everything like AD/DNS etc. After that you can rename the other computer.

Pradeep Adiga
Blog: sqldbadiaries.com
Twitter: @pradeepadiga

sqlfriend SSC Guru Points: 52781 More actions · Answer 4

Thank you,

I have another person told me I may not need to rename computer, just change DNS name point to the new IP address.

I have vague concept about DNS, if I changed DNS to point to the new server IP, do I still need to change sql server name(not computer name, although I use default instance) by using sp-dropserver, sp_addserver, also do I need to change reporting service name(I use default too)?

I kind of getting confued now?

Thanks

Adiga One Orange Chip Points: 27284 More actions · Answer 5

I am no expert on DNS. It can be an option. If you change the DNS to point to the new IP, the server name remains the same. Hence there is no need to change the SQL Server instance name.

Pradeep Adiga
Blog: sqldbadiaries.com
Twitter: @pradeepadiga

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 736291 More actions · Answer 6

The Windows computer name is resolved with NETBIOS on the Windows network. You cannot have two computers with the same name, so Windows prevents this.

DNS is a name lookup service, that is separate from the Windows computer name. Your DNS file should not allow two hosts with the same name and different IPs. Typically if you have people connecting to the computer through a full qualified domain name (FQDN) then you would need to change the entry.

They are completely separate. Change both to be sure everyone can connect.

sqlfriend SSC Guru Points: 52781 More actions · Answer 7

Thank you very much,

But I got confused now.

Shall I go with the rename computer process, or shall I go with DNS approach?

If I use DNS to point to the new server IP, Do I still need to run sp_dropserver, and sp_addserver?

Thank you

Adiga One Orange Chip Points: 27284 More actions · Answer 8

Like mentioned earlier, if the DNS points to the new IP, SQL Server name need not be changed.

Pradeep Adiga
Blog: sqldbadiaries.com
Twitter: @pradeepadiga

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 736291 More actions · Answer 9

It depends on how users connect to the computer.

If you are not sure, then change both.

sqlfriend SSC Guru Points: 52781 More actions · Answer 10

Steve said:

"It depends on how users connect to the computer.If you are not sure, then change both."

I 'm not sure about how applications connect to the database server, some my use ODBC, some directly connect to the database, some use connection String. So when you say change both, you mean,

1. rename the computer

2. and rename the sql server by sp_dropserver,sp_addServer

Correct?

Also How this works, when connecting the database server, it will first check DNS, then AD, or some other order?

Thanks

SQLBuddy123 One Orange Chip Points: 28294 More actions · Answer 11

I think you can do this ..

Existing Server ----------> Server A

Switched to VM -----------> Server B (This name should be unique)

Shut down old Server A

Rename Server B to server A

Thank You,

Best Regards,

SQLBuddy

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 736291 More actions · Answer 12

You need to read up on this. It's really something that's not easily explained in detail. However the connection strings that are used by clients can determine how the client connects, whether with Windows networking or through DNS.

You are correct, you need to do both a) change the computer name with sp_dropserver and b) change DNS.

sqlfriend SSC Guru Points: 52781 More actions · Answer 13

Thank you, this is very helpful.

An additional question about this:

On the computer that hosts sql server, there are sql server related windows security groups created when installing sql server, example as :

SQLServer2005DTSUser$ComputerName

SQLServer2005MSFTEUser$ComputerName

SQLServer2005MSOLAPUser$ComputerName

SQLServer2005MSSQLServerADHelperUser$ComputerName

SQLServer2005MSSQLUser$ComputerName

SQLServer2005NotificationServicesUser$ComputerName

As you can see they have a string $computerName in it.

After renaming the computer, and run sp_dropserver, sp_addserver, is the computername changed in the security group name, or Do I have to manually change them to the new computer name?

Thank you!

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 736291 More actions · Answer 14

The names of the groups do not matter. They will not be changed automatically, but you can change them if you like.