DOCS-13922 describes procedure for renaming replica sets

source/faq/replica-sets.txt

@@ -107,9 +107,10 @@ times.
 Can I rename a replica set?
 ---------------------------
 
-No.
+Yes, unsharded replica sets can be renamed. This procedure requires
+downtime.
 
-You can use the backup and restore procedure described in the
-:doc:`/tutorial/restore-replica-set-from-backup` tutorial to create a
-new replica set with the desired name. Downtime may be necessary in
-order to ensure parity between the original replica set and the new one.
+Before renaming a replica set, perform a full
+:doc:`backup of your MongoDB deployment </core/backups>`.
+
+.. include:: /includes/steps/rename-unsharded-replica-set.rst

source/includes/steps-rename-unsharded-replica-set.yaml

@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+title: Shutdown Replica Set Members.
+level: 4
+ref: shutdown-replica-set
+content: |
+  Follow the procedure in :ref:`Stop a Replica Set <stop-replica-set>`
+  to confirm that replica set members are 
+  :ref:`shut down <terminate-mongod-processes>`.
+
+---
+title: Rename Replica Set Members.
+level: 4
+ref: rename-replica-set-members
+content: |
+  Perform the following steps for each replica set member:
+
+  #. Update the replica set name in the 
+     :ref:`configuration file <conf-file>` or adjust the 
+     :binary:`~bin.mongod` startup command if not using a 
+     configuration file.
+
+  #. Start the replica set member on a different port without the
+     :option:`--replSet <mongod --replSet>` option. 
+
+  #. Connect to the replica set member. 
+
+  #. Update the replica set name in the :ref:`local database 
+     <replica-set-local-database>` with the following commands:
+
+     .. code-block:: javascript
+
+        /* Set `newId` to the new replica set name */
+        var newId = '<new replica set name>'
+
+        var doc = db.getSiblingDB("local").system.replset.findOne()
+        var oldId = doc._id
+        doc._id = newId
+        db.getSiblingDB("local").system.replset.save(doc)
+        db.getSiblingDB("local").system.replset.remove({_id: oldId})
+
+  #. :ref:`Shut down <terminate-mongod-processes>` the replica set 
+     member.
+
+  #. Start the replica set member on its original port. If using a 
+     configuration file, ensure the :setting:`replica set name 
+     <replication.replSetName>` is set to the new name. Otherwise, 
+     use the :binary:`~bin.mongod` startup command with the 
+     :option:`--replSet <mongod --replSet>` option set to the new 
+     replica set name.
+...

source/reference/replica-configuration.txt

@@ -38,8 +38,7 @@ Replica Set Configuration Fields
 
    *Type*: string
 
-   The name of the replica set. Once set, you cannot change the
-   name of a replica set.
+   The name of the replica set.
 
    :rsconf:`_id` *must* be identical to the
    :setting:`replication.replSetName` or the value of `--replSet`

source/tutorial/manage-mongodb-processes.txt

@@ -223,6 +223,8 @@ process, use the following command:
 The resulting backtrace data is written to the :binary:`~bin.mongod`
 logfile as configured with :option:`--logpath <mongod --logpath>`.
 
+.. _stop-replica-set:
+
 Stop a Replica Set
 ------------------