I've made the mistake of not changing the name that Microsoft gave my Windows 2016 Essentials server and was just wondering if it's possible to change the name either during or after the migration is complete. The default name would make a better strong password than a host name.
At what chapter are you in the migration?
I finished chapter 9 and started 10. That's when I realized how inconvenient the server name is going to be.
This is after you installed the Essentials Experience role I understand? You cannot rename the server anymore if the Essentials Experience role is installed. I think at this moment easiest way is to roll back. That means uninstalling the Essentials Experience role, moving back roles to the old SBS and demote the 2016 server. After this, it is a normal member server that can easily be renamed.
Kind of annoying for you but there is really no other way because the Essentials Experience role also installed the Certificate Authority and there is not an easy way of renaming that.
Is Exchange Server data already moved? Let me know if you need assistance with correcting the mistake you made?
Would it be more efficient to just restore the system state to SBS machine and reinstall the 2016 machine?
As much as the experience would be worth, it's looking like a lot of undocumented effort to back this whole thing up.
Which would be easier?
No, restoring the SBS is something you only want to do if everything else fails. It is not a big issue doing what I suggested, I have done this several times in such an event. You can keep the installation of the 2016 server and re-use the work that is done like migrating files and folders. Make sure you break DFSR replication before you roll back.
I am happy to assist you on this matter, just open a ticket and I spend some time helping you.
Should that be opened from one of the servers?
In chapter 4 step 16 of the migration guide How to migrate from SBS 2011 to Windows Server 2016 (Essentials) we set a new name for the new Domain Controller but Ron skipped this without changing it. Once the Essentials Experience role has been installed a rename is not easy so we decided to roll back, uninstall the Essentials Experience role and demote the new DC. After that we renamed and started over with promoting the server to become a replica DC