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How can I migrate a two node Windows cluster to a new domain

Duncan Butcher 1 Reputation point
2025-02-07T18:45:43.2733333+00:00

Hello,

I have a two node Windows 2016 server cluster. We are decommissioning the domain that the nodes are currently in members of and need to add them to a different domain.

The goal is fairly simple, I just want to disjoin them from the current domains and join them to a new one. Is there a way to accomplish this?

Thanks.

Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2016
A Microsoft server operating system that supports enterprise-level management updated to data storage.
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Windows Server Clustering
Windows Server Clustering
Windows Server: A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.Clustering: The grouping of multiple servers in a way that allows them to appear to be a single unit to client computers on a network. Clustering is a means of increasing network capacity, providing live backup in case one of the servers fails, and improving data security.
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  1. Ian Xue 39,371 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2025-02-11T04:10:07.0666667+00:00

    Hi Duncan Butcher,

    Thanks for your post. In order to do such a move, there are two options.

    The first option involves destroying the cluster and rebuilding it in the new domain.

    As the animation shows, this option is destructive with the steps being:

    1. Destroy the Cluster.
    2. Change the domain membership of the nodes into the new domain.
    3. Recreate the Cluster as new in the updated domain. This would entail having to recreate all the resources.

    The second option is less destructive but requires additional hardware as a new cluster would need to be built in the new domain. Once the cluster is in the new domain, run the Cluster Migration Wizard to migrate the resources. The Cluster Migration Wizard doesn't migrate data, another tool is required, such as Storage Migration Service once cluster support is added.

    As the animation shows, this option isn't destructive but does require either different hardware or a node from the existing cluster that has been removed.

    1. Create a new cluster in the new domain while still having the old cluster available.
    2. Use the Cluster Migration Wizard to migrate all the resources to the new cluster. Reminder, the Cluster Migration Wizard doesn't copy data, which needs to be done separately.
    3. Decommission or destroy the old cluster.

    In both options, the new cluster would need to have all cluster-aware applications installed, drivers updated, and testing to ensure functionality. If data also needs to be moved, this increases the time it takes to complete this process.

    Reference: Cross Domain Cluster Migration in Windows Server 2016/2019 | Microsoft Learn

    Best Regards,

    Ian Xue

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