What if the Windows 2003 PDC crash?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Citimouse
  • Start date Start date
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Citimouse

Hi All,

After some struggle, I managed to setup a Windows 2003 domain. It consistes
of a PDC and a BDC. Well, I know there is no such thing as PDC or BDC in
Windows 2003, but one of them is the main DC.

Let's call the PDC Server A and BDC Server B and both are Windows 2003.

I would like to know, if Server A is to crash one day, what should I do to
make Server B the PDC. And after I reinstall Server A, how am I suppose to
tranfer the PDC role from Server B to Server A?

The reason I am asking this is that after making Server B the additional DC
in the domain, I found that it does not have WINS or DNS installed. But when
I install Server A, the server ask me whether do I want to install and
configure DNS and I select YES. The wizard then do everything for me
automatically and the DNS is configured without any intervention.

So, if Server A is down, how can I setup the DNS in Server B so the domain
can continue to function?

And is there additional thing I should know if such a scenario happen?

Thanks in advance.
 
In Citimouse <[email protected]> posted a question
Then Kevin replied below:
: Hi All,
:
: After some struggle, I managed to setup a Windows 2003 domain. It
: consistes of a PDC and a BDC. Well, I know there is no such thing as
: PDC or BDC in Windows 2003, but one of them is the main DC.
:
: Let's call the PDC Server A and BDC Server B and both are Windows
: 2003.
If you cannot recover server A you would have to seize the five FSMO roles
and make server B a global catalog server.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;223787&FR=1
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;816105&FR=1

:
: I would like to know, if Server A is to crash one day, what should I
: do to make Server B the PDC. And after I reinstall Server A, how am I
: suppose to tranfer the PDC role from Server B to Server A?
:
: The reason I am asking this is that after making Server B the
: additional DC in the domain, I found that it does not have WINS or
: DNS installed. But when I install Server A, the server ask me whether
: do I want to install and configure DNS and I select YES. The wizard
: then do everything for me automatically and the DNS is configured
: without any intervention.
:
: So, if Server A is down, how can I setup the DNS in Server B so the
: domain can continue to function?

If DNS is not installed on server B, go ahead and install DNS on it, if the
zones on server A are AD Integrated the zones and zone data will be
replicated to server B automatically. Don't wait for server A to crash
before you install DNS.
 
Hi All,

After some struggle, I managed to setup a Windows 2003 domain. It consistes
of a PDC and a BDC. Well, I know there is no such thing as PDC or BDC in
Windows 2003, but one of them is the main DC.

Let's call the PDC Server A and BDC Server B and both are Windows 2003.

I would like to know, if Server A is to crash one day, what should I do to
make Server B the PDC. And after I reinstall Server A, how am I suppose to
tranfer the PDC role from Server B to Server A?
Click to expand...

Normally, you simply restore A and go. B will have all the necessary
info to run as a DC already. If you have a problem and have to remove
A or can't rebuild it properly, you have to seize the roles on B so it
has the global catalog. Have a look at:

HOW TO: Create or Move a Global Catalog in Windows Server 2003
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;816105&FR=1
The reason I am asking this is that after making Server B the additional DC
in the domain, I found that it does not have WINS or DNS installed. But when
I install Server A, the server ask me whether do I want to install and
configure DNS and I select YES. The wizard then do everything for me
automatically and the DNS is configured without any intervention.
Click to expand...
So, if Server A is down, how can I setup the DNS in Server B so the domain
can continue to function?
Click to expand...

Install DNS ( and WINS if you really need it) on B. Assuming A is an
active directory, then everything will replicate to B automatically.
You normally want DNS on all DC's anyway.
And is there additional thing I should know if such a scenario happen?
Click to expand...

Yeah. Have a current backup. :)

Actually, the second DC's purpose is to both take the load off the
first DC and to act as a redundant DC in case the first fails.
Similar to the PDC/BDC concept except you don't need to demote the PDC
to swap the roles and they cover a lot more, such as AD integrated
replication of DNS.

Jeff
 
In
Citimouse said:
Hi All,

After some struggle, I managed to setup a Windows 2003 domain. It
consistes of a PDC and a BDC. Well, I know there is no such thing as
PDC or BDC in Windows 2003, but one of them is the main DC.

Let's call the PDC Server A and BDC Server B and both are Windows
2003.

I would like to know, if Server A is to crash one day, what should I
do to make Server B the PDC. And after I reinstall Server A, how am I
suppose to tranfer the PDC role from Server B to Server A?

The reason I am asking this is that after making Server B the
additional DC in the domain, I found that it does not have WINS or
DNS installed. But when I install Server A, the server ask me whether
do I want to install and configure DNS and I select YES. The wizard
then do everything for me automatically and the DNS is configured
without any intervention.

So, if Server A is down, how can I setup the DNS in Server B so the
domain can continue to function?

And is there additional thing I should know if such a scenario happen?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Just to add and point out, let's try to get away from the "PDC" and "BDC"
terminology thing, since that is legacy NT4 terminology and does not apply
to Active Directory domain controllers. They are all just replica "DCs".

--
Regards,
Ace

Please direct all replies to the newsgroup so all can benefit.
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties.

Ace Fekay, MCSE 2000, MCSE+I, MCSA, MCT, MVP
Microsoft Windows MVP - Active Directory
 
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