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How to Change Domain Controller IP Address

Easy methods to change the IP address of a domain controller

5 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

Domain Controllers (DCs) are actively used for authenticating users and the devices connected to the domain.

Because of these works, they are best set up and left as is. This becomes important in terms of their hostname and network details.

Changing the IP of the domain controller may not be ever required but a time may come when you change it.

Moreover, domain controllers are assigned to a static IP address so they are reliable and discovered across the network without any issues.

While changing the IP address of the domain controller may cause certain issues for the administrator, because of its critical nature.

However, if the DC is not hosting any other roles, changing IP isn’t a big problem and can be done easily.

In this guide, we will show you exactly how you can change the IP of the domain controller safely and with no issues. Let us get right into it.

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How do I find the IP address of my domain controller?

Using the above steps, you would be able to find the IP address of your domain controller. The steps may look a bit too much but it is for those who know what they are doing.

How do I change the system name and IP address from the domain control network?

1. Rename the system name

We have shown you two methods to change the system name, i.e. one using system properties and the other one using Netdom.

Do note that whichever method you choose, you have to update the FRS object and Update the DFS Replication member object.

2. Update the FRS member object

3. Update the DFS Replication member object

4. Change the IP address of domain controller

Press theWindowskey on your keyboard or click on the Start button on your taskbar to open theSearch menu.
Typecmdin the search box and right-click on the first result, then selectRun as Administrator.

3.Write the below command and pressEnterto remove any cached DNS entries created by the local DNS server:ipconfig /flushdns

Execute the below commands one by one and pressEnter:

Net Stop DNS

Net Start DNS

Net Stop Logon

Net Start Logon

5.Now run the below command to ensure the new IP address is registered by the DNS server:ipconfig /registerdns

Finally, run the below command to update the Service Principal Name (SPN) records:dcdiag /fix

The Domain Controller’s IP can be easily changed via the built-in command tool known as Command Prompt or cmd. All you need to do is input a few commands in it, and the tool will do the job for you.

Is a domain controller the same as Active Directory?

We won’t give you complex terminologies as we want you to understand terms easily. An Active Directory is like a database. It stores information of users and computers as objects.

On the other hand, the domain controller is a service that runs Active Directory and uses the data stored by the AD for authentication and giving access to the user. Notably, a DC or domain controller manages the security policies of Windows NT or Windows Server.

So, the easiest way to remember the difference between Active Directory and DC is that Active Directory handles your identity and security access, on the flip side the Domain Controllers authenticate your authority.

That is it from us in this guide. We hope that we gave you the complete information on how you can change the IP of the domain controller. Let us know in the comments below if you come across any issues while following the above steps.

How to Change Domain Controller IP Address#

How do I find the IP address of my domain controller?#

How do I change the system name and IP address from the domain control network?#

1. Rename the system name#

2. Update the FRS member object#

3. Update the DFS Replication member object#

4. Change the IP address of domain controller#

Is a domain controller the same as Active Directory?#