How to find out which DC is holding which FSMO role? Well, one can accomplish this task by many means. Here a list of few available methods.
Method #1:
Know the default settings
The FSMO roles were assigned to one or more DCs during the DCPROMO process. The following table summarizes the FSMO default locations:
|
FSMO Role |
Number of DCs holding this role |
Original DC holding the FSMO role |
|
Schema |
One per forest |
The first DC in the first domain in the forest (i.e. the Forest Root Domain) |
|
Domain Naming |
One per forest |
|
|
RID |
One per domain |
The first DC in a domain (any domain, including the Forest Root Domain, any Tree Root Domain, or any Child Domain) |
|
PDC Emulator |
One per domain |
|
|
Infrastructure |
One per domain |
Method #2:
Use the GUI
The FSMO role holders can be easily found by use of some of the AD snap-ins. Use this table to see which tool can be used for what FSMO role:
|
FSMO Role |
Which snap-in should I use? |
|
Schema |
Schema snap-in |
|
Domain Naming |
AD Domains and Trusts snap-in |
|
RID |
AD Users and Computers snap-in |
|
PDC Emulator |
|
|
Infrastructure |
Finding the RID Master, PDC Emulator, and Infrastructure Masters via GUI
To find out who currently holds the Domain-Specific RID Master, PDC Emulator, and Infrastructure Master FSMO Roles:
1. Open the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in from the Administrative Tools folder.
2. Right-click the Active Directory Users and Computers icon again and press Operation Masters.
3. Select the appropriate tab for the role you wish to view.
4. When you're done click close.
Finding the Domain Naming Master via GUI
To find out who currently holds the Domain Naming Master Role:
1. Open the Active Directory Domains and Trusts snap-in from the Administrative Tools folder.
2. Right-click the Active Directory Domains and Trusts icon again and press Operation Masters.
3. When you're done click close.
Finding the Schema Master via GUI
To find out who currently holds the Schema Master Role:
1. Register the Schmmgmt.dll library by pressing Start > RUN and typing: regsvr32 schmmgmt.dll
2. Press OK. You should receive a success confirmation.
3. From the Run command open an MMC Console by typing MMC.
4. On the Console menu, press Add/Remove Snap-in.
5. Press Add. Select Active Directory Schema.
6. Press Add and press Close. Press OK.
7. Click the Active Directory Schema icon. After it loads right-click it and press Operation Masters.
8. Press the Close button.
Method #3 : Use the Ntdsutil command
The FSMO role holders can be easily found by use of the Ntdsutil command.
1. On any domain controller, click Start, click Run, type Ntdsutil in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. Type roles, and then press ENTER.
3. Type connections, and then press ENTER.
4. Type connect to server , where is the name of the server you want to use, and then press ENTER.
5. At the server connections: prompt, type q, and then press ENTER again.
6. At the FSMO maintenance: prompt, type Select operation target, and then press ENTER again.
At the select operation target: prompt, type List roles for connected server, and then press ENTER again.
select operation target: List roles for connected server
Server "server100" knows about 5 roles
Schema - CN=NTDS Settings,CN=SERVER100,CN=Servers,CN=Default-First-Site-Name,CN=Sites,CN=Configuration,DC=dpetri,DC=net
Domain - CN=NTDS Settings,CN=SERVER100,CN=Servers,CN=Default-First-Site-Name,CN=Sites,CN=Configuration,DC=dpetri,DC=net
PDC - CN=NTDS Settings,CN=SERVER100,CN=Servers,CN=Default-First-Site-Name,CN=Sites,CN=Configuration,DC=dpetri,DC=net
RID - CN=NTDS Settings,CN=SERVER100,CN=Servers,CN=Default-First-Site-Name,CN=Sites,CN=Configuration,DC=dpetri,DC=net
Infrastructure - CN=NTDS Settings,CN=SERVER100,CN=Servers,CN=Default-First-Site-Name,CN=Sites,CN=Configuration,DC=dpetri,DC=net
select operation target:
8. Type q 3 times to exit the Ntdsutil prompt.
Method #4:
Use the Netdom command
The FSMO role holders can be easily found by use of the Netdom command.
- On any domain controller, click Start, click Run, type CMD in the Open box, and then click OK.
- In the Command Prompt window, type netdom query /domain:<domain> fsmo
- Close the CMD window.
