Network Setup

[Guest]

Hi everyone,
I've just inherited a network, also known as got another job. With that in
mind and being here a few weeks I've found that the network might not be
setup the most efficiently. Where would I go (which forum) for guidance to
make sure this network is put together right.

My present situation:
6 Buildings, most wired together but two using wireless.
7 Domain Controllers, 1 in each (4) buildings, plus 3 in main building, plus
a few use 1 nic, most using multiple nics, 2 or 3. (Don't think we need this
many.
Only 50 Users.

I'll get into more detail when I found out where I need to be.

Thx.
Mark.

 

[Neteng]

Here is OK if your asking about Windows Networking. If your looking at
infrastrucuter gear, try their NG (ie Cisco groupstudy.com).

 

[Phillip Windell]

I've just inherited a network, also known as got another job. With that in
mind and being here a few weeks I've found that the network might not be
setup the most efficiently. Where would I go (which forum) for guidance to
make sure this network is put together right.

If you have specific questions about specific things,...this is the place.
But we aren't a "classroom" and cannot be a substitute for people are too
lazy to just read thier documentation,..but you don't sound like one of
those ;-)

My present situation:
6 Buildings, most wired together but two using wireless.
7 Domain Controllers, 1 in each (4) buildings, plus 3 in main building, plus
a few use 1 nic, most using multiple nics, 2 or 3. (Don't think we need this
many.

No you don't. They should run one Nic. In particular domain controllers
(except SBS) should always run only one Nic.

272294 - Active Directory Communication Fails on Multihomed Domain
Controllers
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;272294

191611 - Symptoms of Multihomed Browsers
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;191611

They can use more than one,...but it has to be done properly and for the
right reason. But probably 90% of them I have run accros are not done
properly and not for the right reason.

Only 50 Users.

You don't need 7 DCs with only 50 users. I have about a hundred machines on
my system and run only two DCs on 350 PIIs. It doesn't hurt if you have
them, but it is kind of a waiste of hardware that could be used for other
things. Those wrieless links are not that slow to justify havine a DC in
each building. Domain Replication would work perfectly fine over even and
old slower 10mbps half duplex system as long as it wasn't over taxed by
something else.


--
Phillip Windell [MCP, MVP, CCNA]
www.wandtv.com
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Understanding the ISA 2004 Access Rule Processing
http://www.isaserver.org/articles/ISA2004_AccessRules.html

Microsoft Internet Security & Acceleration Server: Guidance
http://www.microsoft.com/isaserver/techinfo/Guidance/2004.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/isaserver/techinfo/Guidance/2000.asp

Microsoft Internet Security & Acceleration Server: Partners
http://www.microsoft.com/isaserver/partners/default.asp
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