Can You Rename Your On-Prem SharePoint Server Farm? The Ultimate Guide

Rename Your SharePoint Farm: Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that you’ve overcome the challenges and gathered the necessary requirements, it’s time to rename your SharePoint farm:

Step 1: Prepare Your Environment

Update your SharePoint farm's DNS records:

* Update the DNS records for your SharePoint farm to reflect the new farm name.
* Ensure the updates are propagated throughout your organization's network.

Update your AD configurations:

* Update the AD configurations to reflect the new farm name.
* Ensure the updates are propagated throughout your organization's network.

Take a backup of your SharePoint farm:

* Take a full backup of your SharePoint farm, including the configuration database and content databases.
* Verify the backup is complete and valid.

Step 2: Rename the SharePoint Farm

Update the SharePoint farm name in Central Administration:

* Open Central Administration and navigate to the Farm Configuration page.
* Click on Farm Settings and update the Farm Name field with the new name.
* Click OK to save the changes.

Update the SharePoint farm name in the configuration database:

* Open the SharePoint Management Shell as an administrator.
* Run the following PowerShell command to update the farm name in the configuration database:
  Set-SPFarm -Identity "Current Farm Name" -RenameToFarm "New Farm Name"
* Verify the update was successful by checking the configuration database.

Step 3: Update the Server Names and Roles

Update the server names and roles in Central Administration:

* Open Central Administration and navigate to the Servers page.
* Update the server names and roles to reflect the new farm name.
* Click OK to save the changes.

Update the server names and roles in the configuration database:

* Open the SharePoint Management Shell as an administrator.
* Run the following PowerShell command to update the server names and roles in the configuration database:
  Get-SPServer | ForEach-Object { $_.Name = "New Server Name"; $_.Role = "New Server Role" }
* Verify the update was successful by checking the configuration database.

Step 4: Update the Service Applications

Update the service applications in Central Administration:

* Open Central Administration and navigate to the Application Management page.
* Update the service applications to reflect the new farm name.
* Click OK to save the changes.

Update the service applications in the configuration database:

* Open the SharePoint Management Shell as an administrator.
* Run the following PowerShell command to update the service applications in the configuration database:
  Get-SPServiceApplication | ForEach-Object { $_.Name = "New Service Application Name" }
* Verify the update was successful by checking the configuration database.

Step 5: Update the Web Applications

Update the web applications in Central Administration:

* Open Central Administration and navigate to the Application Management page.
* Update the web applications to reflect the new farm name.
* Click OK to save the changes.

Update the web applications in the configuration database:

* Open the SharePoint Management Shell as an administrator.
* Run the following PowerShell command to update the web applications in the configuration database:
  Get-SPWebApplication | ForEach-Object { $_.Name = "New Web Application Name" }
* Verify the update was successful by checking the configuration database.

Step 6: Update the Site Collections

Update the site collections in Central Administration:

* Open Central Administration and navigate to the Site Collections page.
* Update the site collections to reflect the new farm name.
* Click OK to save the changes.

Update the site collections in the configuration database:

* Open the SharePoint Management Shell as an administrator.
* Run the following PowerShell command to update the site collections in the configuration database:
  Get-SPSite | ForEach-Object { $_.Name = "New Site Collection Name" }
* Verify the update was successful by checking the configuration database.

Post-Rename Tasks

Once you’ve completed the rename process, make sure to:

• Verify the rename was successful: Check the SharePoint farm, configuration database, and content databases to ensure the rename was successful.
• Update any custom solutions: Update any custom solutions, such as web parts or event receivers, to reflect the new farm name.
• Inform users and stakeholders: Inform users and stakeholders of the rename, including any changes to URLs or access points.

Conclusion

Rename your on-prem SharePoint Server farm? Absolutely! While it may seem daunting, with careful planning, preparation, and execution, you can successfully rename your SharePoint farm. Remember to update your DNS records, AD configurations, and backup your SharePoint farm before beginning the rename process. Follow the step-by-step instructions, and you’ll be enjoying your newly renamed SharePoint farm in no time. Happy renaming!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. It’s essential to consult with qualified IT professionals and conduct thorough testing before attempting to rename your on-prem SharePoint Server farm.

Frequently Asked Question

Hey there, SharePoint enthusiasts! Are you wondering if it’s possible to change an on-prem SharePoint Server (SE) farm name? We’ve got the answers for you!