I'm still a bit confused. I have a standard Primary zone (non-AD integrated) on DC #1. I need to demote and retire this DC. So I need to transfer the zone to another DC to be Primary, if I understand this correctly, before I can demote and shut down DC #1.
So I do have multiple other secondary servers for this zone; I do have them listed on the "Name Servers" tab of the zone, as shown on DC #1. Zone transfers are set to allow to any server. "Notify" is set to any server on the Name Servers tab. I've been searching and reading for a couple days, but I am still unsure of what steps I need to do to accomplish what I want, without completely breaking the zone. Is it really as simple as this: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/323383 How to Change the Role of a DNS ServerAfter you transfer all of the records, you must remove the old DNS server from the network, and then set the DNS server as the primary DNS server. To set the DNS server as the primary DNS server, follow these steps: 1. Click *Start*, point to *Administrative Tools*, and then click *DNS*. 2. Expand ServerName, where ServerName is the name of the server. 3. Expand *Forward Lookup Zones*. 4. Right-click the *Microsoft.edu* zone, and then click *Properties*. 5. Click the *General* tab. 6. Click *Change*, and then click *Primary zone*. If the DNS server is a domain controller, click to select the *Store the zone in Active Directory (available only if DNS server is a domain controller* check box. 7. Click *OK*. 8. If you want to permit dynamic updates, click *Nonsecure and secure* in the *dynamic updates* box. 9. Click *OK*. *Note* The server is now configured as a primary DNS server for the DNS domain space. So if I do this on DC #4, it should now be primary, and I can go and gracefully kill DC #1? Thanks, and sorry if I seem a bit squeamish about this. :-)
