Maintenance on PDC Emulator for 7 days due to hardware issue

Question

I have scenario. PDC Emulator is hosted on Physical Server and remaining FSMO role are hosted on virtual server.
Physical server having PDC Emulator faced hardware issue. As per vendor will take 7 days to get server repair.
What is solution for this issue? How we can mitigate this risk?
Please note - Server will up within 7 days.

Answer 1

You can transfer the roles to another healthy domain controller for this period.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/identity/transfer-or-seize-fsmo-roles-in-ad-ds

Having virtual only domain controllers is not a problem but always recommended to have at least two for high availability and disaster mitigation. Host affinity should be setup so both do not migrate to same host.

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

Answer 2

In this scenario physical server also having PDC emulator role as role was not transfer due to hardware crash. How to tackle such scenario and plan the risk mitigation?

May depend on the extent of the repairs that were done. If the operating system was reinstalled, then cleanup will need to be done before server name can be reused.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/deploy/ad-ds-metadata-cleanup
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/itops-talk-blog/step-by-step-manually-removing-a-domain-controller-server/ba-p/280564.

I'd use dcdiag / repadmin tools to verify health correcting all errors found before starting any operations. Then stand up the new 2019, patch it fully, license it, join existing domain, add active directory domain services, promote it also making it a GC (recommended), transfer FSMO roles over (optional), transfer pdc emulator role (optional), use dcdiag / repadmin tools to again verify health.

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

Answer 3

Hi,
Just checking in to see if the information provided was helpful.
Please let us know if you would like further assistance.
Best Regards,
Vicky

Answer 4

Hi,
Welcome to share your current situation if there are any updates.
Please feel free to let us know if you need further assistance.
Best Regards,
Vicky

Answer 5

Hi,
Just checking in to see if the information provided was helpful.
Please let us know if you would like further assistance.
Best Regards,
Vicky