Active Directory on Win2k please help

[Anton Opaco]

Situation:

My AD is residing in a server that is not RAID5 protected.
Is there a way for me to build another server in such a
way that if Server1 fails, Server2 will automatically fill
the load of Server1?

Thanks,
Anton M. Opaco

 

[Simon Geary]

Active Directory has built in redundancy when there is more than one domain
controller. Just ensure that both servers are AD Integrated DNS servers and
both are Global Catalogues. If you are running WINS\ DHCP or any other
network service you will want to duplicate those on both servers as well.
Then when a server fails the only thing you have to keep an eye on are the
FSMO roles.

RAID protection on your hard drives is a good idea too.

 

[Anton Opaco]

Hi there! How will I configure "AD Integrated DNS servers
and Global Catalogues". I have several Win2k servers and I
did a "dcpromo" on them but what I noticed is they are
just acting as a "client terminal" wherein you can change
the username and password of an account. I said this
because when the main server bugs down, I can't browse my
AD.

BTW, what is an FSMO? Can you suggest readings/websites to
help me advance more in my knowledge about Active
Directory?

Regards,
Anton M. Opaco

 

[Simon Geary]

A Global Catalogue server is required for users to log in. Only the first DC
will be a GC by default so you need to create more of them.
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=313994

DNS is also required in Active Directory. You must create more than one DNS
server for redundancy in case your first server fails.
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=300202

FSMO roles are special tasks within AD that can only be done by one server
at a time. If the server performing a FSMO role fails that role may need to
be transferred to a new server.
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=255690