Four more Question about Global Catalog & Many Thanks

[Jamal Mubarik]

Many thanks to MVP's and every one else who helped me configure 3 Windows 2K
server and migration from 5.5 Exchange to Exchange 2000.

I Have three server A, B and C. B is the NT4.0 PDC that was converted to
WIn2k and is also running exchange 5.5. It is Global Catalog Server. B also
has forwarders pointing to ISP's DNS servers.

C is the fastest Dual XEON based and would eventually replace B. IT is WIN
2K and Exch 2K with ADC. I have also configured it as Global Server.

I wouls also like to configure A as a GC Server. Would that be too much -
three GC Servers. Please remember B will be replaced quickly. Is there a
disadvantage to having 3 GC servers. ALL of these servers are linked via LAN
in the same office.

Question #2

Should I point forwarders in DNS to ISP's DNS servers in A & C. I am already
doing that in B.

Question 3:

I imagine I can run DHCP on any server. Any advice please.

Question 4
Should I run DNS Server on A and/or C. Since B will be retired.

Many Thanks

Respectfully

Jamal

(e-mail address removed)

 

[Simon Geary]

Inline

Many thanks to MVP's and every one else who helped me configure 3 Windows 2K
server and migration from 5.5 Exchange to Exchange 2000.

I Have three server A, B and C. B is the NT4.0 PDC that was converted to
WIn2k and is also running exchange 5.5. It is Global Catalog Server. B also
has forwarders pointing to ISP's DNS servers.

C is the fastest Dual XEON based and would eventually replace B. IT is WIN
2K and Exch 2K with ADC. I have also configured it as Global Server.

I wouls also like to configure A as a GC Server. Would that be too much -
three GC Servers. Please remember B will be replaced quickly. Is there a
disadvantage to having 3 GC servers. ALL of these servers are linked via LAN
in the same office.

If you only have three DC's then making them all Global Catalogues would be
the best option. This is best for redundancy and also avoids the problem of
having to place your Infrastructure Master on a non-GC machine.

Question #2

Should I point forwarders in DNS to ISP's DNS servers in A & C. I am already
doing that in B.

That depends on your setup. A common scenario would be to have only one
server in a public facing DMZ which forwards to your ISP and have internal
DNS servers point to that server rather than the ISP. For a small network
though there will be no harm in pointing all 3 servers to the ISP. This
again is good for redundancy as it means the failure of server B does not
kill internet resolution.

Question 3:

I imagine I can run DHCP on any server. Any advice please.

Pretty much, but do not run Internet Connection Sharing on the same subnet.
Microsoft used to recommend not running DHCP on domain controllers but I
don't think that advice still holds as the latest service packs introduced a
way around the security holes it created. Having said that, you should
install it on a non DC server just to be on the safe side.
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=255134

Question 4
Should I run DNS Server on A and/or C. Since B will be retired.

One DNS server bad. Two DNS servers good. Three DNS servers best! Redundancy
is the name of the game here. DNS is a critical component so install it on
all 3 of your DC's.