Transfer the schema master

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Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Use this procedure to transfer the schema operations master role. The schema master is a forest-wide operations master role. Before you can use the Active Directory Schema snap-in for the first time, you must register it with the system. If you have not yet prepared the Active Directory Schema snap-in, see Install the Schema snap-in before you begin this procedure.

Note

This procedure is performed by using the Microsoft Management Console (MMC), although you can also transfer this role by using Ntdsutil.exe. For information about using Ntdsutil.exe to transfer operations master roles, type ? at the Ntdsutil.exe command prompt.

Administrative Credentials

To perform this procedure, you must be a Schema Administrator in Active Directory.

Transfer the schema master

  1. Open the Active Directory Schema snap-in.

  2. In the console tree, right-click Active Directory Schema, and click Change Domain Controller.

  3. In the Change Domain Controller dialog box, click Specify Name. Then, in the text box, type the name of the server to which you want to transfer the schema master role. Click OK.

  4. In the console tree, right-click Active Directory Schema. Click Operations Master. The Change Schema Master box displays the name of the server that is currently holding the role. The targeted domain controller is listed in the second box.

  5. Click Change. Click Yes to confirm your choice. The system confirms the operation. Click OK again to confirm that the operation succeeded.

  6. Click Close to close the Change Schema Master dialog box.

    Note

    Hosting the infrastructure master on a global catalog server is not recommended. If you attempt to transfer the infrastructure master role to a domain controller that is a global catalog, the system displays a warning stating that this is not recommended.