Duplicate AD to test server

[shane.pinnell]

I want to migrate all of my logins and e-mail addresses from first
initial, last name (rsmith) to first name dot last name (robert.smith).
Before doing this, I want to duplicate my AD to a test server to make
sure everything will go smoothly. I searched and found this article

http://groups.google.com/group/micr...18daaada24e/1143fad128f950ce#1143fad128f950ce

The only problem with this is that I have to remove data in AD that
pertains to the test DC once I have moved it off of the production LAN.
Is there a way to duplicate the AD without promoting and demoting a
domain controller (thereby skipping the more than 20 steps required to
do that)? Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

Shane

 

[Jorge Silva]

Hi

I believe this is the best approach that you would have to acomplish what
you want. As the exchange part I believe that you can (after you disconnect
the DC and transfer all FSMO roles) use the exchange /disaster recovery, to
setup the exchange on the lab Environment.

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I hope that the information above helps you

Good Luck
Jorge Silva
MCSA
Systems Administrator

 

[Andrei Ungureanu]

or you can try the system state backup/restore method.
Backup the system state on a production DC and restore it in a test
environment. You'll need to clean up a little bit, so the other method is
faster; plus there are some chances that this will not work, but anyway it
is a good exercise.

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Regards,
Andrei Ungureanu
www.eventid.net
Test our new EventReader!
http://www.altairtech.ca/eventreader/default2.asp?ref=au