Tableau Server is generally really easy to administer. This is in large part due to having very few configuration items you can adjust. The fewer things you can tweak, the less chance you're going to break something. Sometimes this leaves for much to be desired, thankfully there are some ways to accomplish this high-level of customization using Tableau Server's command line utility, tabadmin.
Recently I was helping a client move their Tableau Server from one data center to another. Along the way I discovered we also had to switch the domain on which Tableau Server ran as well as change all the user accounts over to the new domain. All tasks that aren't intuitive, well documented, or obvious to accomplish in Tableau Server.
Changing domains on an existing install is actually not recommended by Tableau. If there were an official recommendation I assume it would be to stand up the new server and manually migrate all of the users, workbooks, and data sources. With a large implementation like my clients in this case, that isn't feasible. There is help on the way however!
Be advised, Tableau does not support this type of customization and may not provide support if this goes haywire. Please make sure to backup your instance before and after all activities so you have a point to return to in the event this causes any unforeseen issues.
Pre-requisites
- There must be a two-way trust between the domains
- You need admin rights on both boxes
- You'll need the Run-As (aka Service Account) username and password
Steps
- Backup existing Tableau Server environment (reference)
- Copy backup to new server
- Restore backup on new server
- Execute the following on the new server to change the domain for all users:
- Login and test (workbooks, extracts, data server, user accounts are on the new domain, etc.)
- Revel in your accomplishment!
tabadmin stop
tabadmin set wgserver.domain.default <fqdn domain>
tabadmin set wgserver.domain.fqdn <fqdn domain>
tabadmin set wgserver.domain.nickname <domain nickname>
tabadmin config
tabadmin start
As always if you have any questions please do reach out.
Thanks!