building multiple servers

[tim]

Hi,

Is there away to easily build 20 servers with the same hardware and software
settings but with seperate AD?

Thanks

T

 

[Steve Duff [MVP]]

"Build" one server and configure it the way you want.

For the other 19, clone and re-SID (with sysprep).

Run dcpromo on each server and install AD.

There is no shorter path I can think of with Server 2000. If you are trying to install and keep AD objects such as user and group
accounts you can use ADMT to migrate these from one server to the other after they are promoted to DCs.

With Server 2003 it is possible to change domain names on a DC with the appropriate tool:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/downloads/domainrename.mspx

I personally would not want to trust a system cloned and then configured in this way (I have enough problems with systems that are
clean-installed not to go looking for more trouble.) But you are certainly free to try it if you are using 2003.

Steve Duff, MCSE, MVP
Ergodic Systems, Inc.