Adding another DC to a domain

[Allison]

I have 2 Windows 2000 servers acting as Domain Controllers at one site
(subnet). I want to add an additional Domain Controller that is Windows
2003 Enterprise Server. This new DC will be at a remote site (subnet) and
connected via T1 line to the site that has the original 2 DCs. Do I have to
create the additional site in Active Directory before adding the new DC, or
can I simply join the domain with the new DC? I didn't know if joining the
new DC to the domain would create the additional site within Active
Directory or not.

Thanks

 

[Enkidu]

I have 2 Windows 2000 servers acting as Domain Controllers at one site
(subnet). I want to add an additional Domain Controller that is Windows
2003 Enterprise Server. This new DC will be at a remote site (subnet) and
connected via T1 line to the site that has the original 2 DCs. Do I have to
create the additional site in Active Directory before adding the new DC, or
can I simply join the domain with the new DC? I didn't know if joining the
new DC to the domain would create the additional site within Active
Directory or not.

Create the DC in the original site, then create a new site with the
new DC in it. Once you've done that, you can create additional DCs
directly into the new site.

Cheers,

Cliff

 

[Allison]

Is there any reason to create an additional site within Active Directory if
the two remote subnets/locations have a fast connection (such as a 12mb)
between each other? Or do I have to create an additional site because I
have DCs on different subnets?

I know I said T1 in my previous post, but I checked and we actually are
using a partial DS-3 at 12mb between both sites. The DCs at each location
are connected at a reasonably high-speed link.

 

[Cary Shultz [MVP]]

-----Original Message-----
Is there any reason to create an additional site within Active Directory if
the two remote subnets/locations have a fast connection (such as a 12mb)
between each other? Or do I have to create an additional site because I
have DCs on different subnets?

I know I said T1 in my previous post, but I checked and we actually are
using a partial DS-3 at 12mb between both sites. The DCs at each location
are connected at a reasonably high-speed link.

remote site (subnet)
and original 2 DCs. Do I have
to adding the new DC,
or didn't know if joining
the


.

Cliff, I hope that you do not mind if I jump in here for
a second.

Allison, there are essentially two reasons for creating
Sites in WIN2000: managing Active Directory Replication
and 'Controlling' user logons.

I would - were I in your situation - go ahead and create
a second Site. Furthermore, I would create all the
appropriate Subnets and associate each with the
apporpriate Site. I would propbably make the DC in
the 'remote' Site a Global Catalog Server as well as a
DNS Server / DHCP Server. Furthermore, I would set up a
Site-to-Site VPN ( aka Firewall-to-Firewall VPN ) between
the two Sites ( er, is this a point-to-point
connection? ). In the ADSS MMC you will need to create a
Site Link between the two Sites and the KCC should
probably take care of the rest for both Intrasite as well
as Intersite replication.

I have several very good articles should you need/require
them.

Now, if you think that the AD Replication between these
two sites ( remember, it is compressed and only the
specific attributes, not the entire object, are
replicated ) and the logon traffic will be acceptable
then do not set up the Sites. I probably would set up
the Sites but that is not for me to decide.

HTH,

Cary