Backup domain controllers?

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Guest

Hi, please help.

There is a primary domain controller (win2K3) at one location and second
domain controller at another location, as backup AD as well as provide logon
service to users in that location. It's a single domain network with two
subnets.

The server as backup(second) domain controller has space problem that need
to be re-partition and reinstall. I'd like to know if I can install one more
server to be domain controller(third, at the location as same as second
domain controller) in order to provide logon service and AD as well so that I
can remove the second domain controller for reinstallation temporary.
Eventually the second domain controller will replace the "third" after
reinstalled. Is that works? If it will work what I should concern regarding
AD replication issue?

Thank you in advance,
 
Hi,
I'd like to know if I can install one more
server to be domain controller(third, at the location as same as
second
domain controller) in order to provide logon service and AD as well
so that I
can remove the second domain controller for reinstallation
temporary.
Eventually the second domain controller will replace the "third"
after
reinstalled. Is that works? If it will work what I should concern
regarding
AD replication issue?
Click to expand...

yes, thats the prefered way.
If you want, you can install 100 DCs ;-)
But check who has the FSMO Roles and do
all DCs to Global Catalogs.
 
Thank you very much for your prompt reply. The first created domain
controller will not be changed but the second DC will be removed for
re-installation then put it back. Do I need to do anything before and after?

In my case, is it that FSMO Roles holded by the first DC and always? what do
you mean that "do all DCs to Global Catalogs"? Could you please explain a
little bit more?

I am appreciated for your help.
 
The first created domain
controller will not be changed but the second DC will be removed for
re-installation then put it back. Do I need to do anything before
and after?
Click to expand...

After demote the DC with DCPROMO,
check WINS and DNS and if you find entries,
delete it and check "Sites and Services" too.
In my case, is it that FSMO Roles holded by the first DC and always?
Click to expand...

Look here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/255690/en-us
what do
you mean that "do all DCs to Global Catalogs"? Could you please
explain a
little bit more?
Click to expand...

Read this ;-)
http://www.petri.co.il/configure_a_new_global_catalog.htm

Hope that helps
 
Hi Thanks again. It's helpful. More help please. I just want to make sure I
understand it well before start to take one of DC offline for re-installation.

Followed your recommendation, I have checked that the first DC is holder of
all the roles of FSMO and has a Global Catalog enabled. The second DC, which
is going to be re-install does not have GC enabled.

question 1: I guess I don't need to do FSMO roles transfering because this
domain controller stays as is, is it correct?

question 2: Once the third DC installed, the server will be added to one of
the site, where the second DC located. Is the replication will be setup
automaticly or manually? What do I need to do before take the second DC
offline? Do I need to manually to delete the second DC from the site
container?

question 3. Could you explain what it means that "After demote the DC with
DCPROMO, check WINS and DNS and if you find entries, delete"? I don't
understand which entries need to be delete.

question 4. Should I force replication after DCPROMO so that all AD can be
replicated to the new installed DC fast or wait?

Many thanks,

Juliana
 
Hi There,
More help please
Click to expand...

lets start ;-)
question 1: I guess I don't need to do FSMO roles transfering
because this
domain controller stays as is, is it correct?
Click to expand...

Right. You want to reinstall your "second" DC who has not
the FSMO Roles.
question 2: Once the third DC installed, the server will be added to
one of
the site, where the second DC located. Is the replication will be
setup
automaticly or manually? What do I need to do before take the second
DC
offline? Do I need to manually to delete the second DC from the site
container?
Click to expand...

When you deinstall your second DC,
check WINS and DNS and delete all the entries from
this DC, you find. After this look in "Sites and Services"
and if you find this DC in his site, delete it too.
If you install your third DC, then he goes automaticaly
to the right site, about the Subnet-Mask.
You need to enter in the TCP/IP Settings as DNS Server
your first DNS who has install the DNS.
And if your DNS is Active directory integrated,
the replication do the rest automaticly.

And dont forgett, do all your DCs to GCs.
question 3. Could you explain what it means that "After demote the
DC with
DCPROMO, check WINS and DNS and if you find entries, delete"? I
don't
understand which entries need to be delete.
Click to expand...

Look at your DNS and if you find there SRV-Records with the
name from the deleted DNS, make it clear and delete it.
The same in WINS, delete the "old" entries.
Sure is sure ;-)
question 4. Should I force replication after DCPROMO so that all AD
can be
replicated to the new installed DC fast or wait?
Click to expand...

What do you want.
In my opinion, give him a little bit time, he do it automaticly ;-)

HTH
 
Thank you.

1. After demoting the DC and take it offline for re-installation, should the
DC computer account to be deleted from Active directory? I mean if the
computer account to be deleted then all records will be gone, isn't?
2. Is it matter to give different computer name to the re-installed
DC(second DC) when take it online or I should keep the same name as it was
before?

By the way, the first DC is DNS and WINS server.

Thank you for help, again.
 
1. After demoting the DC and take it offline for re-installation,
should the
DC computer account to be deleted from Active directory? I mean if
the
computer account to be deleted then all records will be gone, isn't?
Click to expand...

Normaly yes ;)
But after demote check under "Sites and Services" in the site
from the DC, if he is deleted from the site.
If not, delete manualy.
2. Is it matter to give different computer name to the re-installed
DC(second DC) when take it online or I should keep the same name as
it was
before?
Click to expand...

You can do both.
But I, would give him an another name.
 
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