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4691
February 4th, 2009 05:00
How do I create a backup domain controller?
I have set up a second dell poweredge server to use as a backup in case our main server goes down but how do I set up the backup domain controller on it. It is running server 2003 as the os. Please give details on how to do this I am new to this end of it.
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pcmeiners
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February 5th, 2009 15:00
If it is just a second server added as a DC, so you have Active Directory redundancy it is a bit like brain surgery; adding a second server as a DC is easy enough, making sure it works/testing is more involved.
If your looking to add a second server for Active Directory redundancy and for redundancy of programs/data, it is brain surgery.
Your best off getting a knowledgeable consultant in to do the work.
Joe Harrell
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February 6th, 2009 07:00
pcmeiners
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February 6th, 2009 08:00
Apologize for my last post, we get complete newbies here who NEVER open a book or research before asking questions.
Not sure what you are are asking but...
Run DcDiag.exe and NetDiag.exe with the /v switch and correct any issues which show up now; problems left brewing in AD tend to grow. Check you Windows event logs for AD issues also. Both your servers need to be global catalogs.
A simple DcPromo of the first server being the FSMO, should transfer the roles/AD data to the other DC. Verify all roles are transfered before nuking the original FSMO, run DcDiag/NetDiag. Personally I prefer transferring the roles manually before Dcpromoing. If you have the the time, I would wait a couple of days, run Dcdiag/NetDiag, check the event logs before doing anything with the original server after it's roles are transfered. Refer to the link below
In the event the FSMO goes down permanently catastrophically , you would need to manually seize all AD roles with NTDSUtil. This does not take long but it is more involved and your more likely to run into issues which need to be fixed manually. NEVER place a server which has had the roles seized from, back on the network; basically you want to perform a new Windows installation or better still format that server's system partition.
http://www.petri.co.il/transferring_fsmo_roles.htm
really good tech forum....
http://www.tek-tips.com