Mirroring a domain controller

[Guest]

I really need some help here. I want to Mirror the drives on a computer
acting as a domain controller. First off I can not seem to change the drives
from basic to dynamic. I was told thats becuase the computer is a domain
controler. I really need the steps here. I was told I had to demote the
computer from being a domain controller, but if I did it would delete the
active directory.

How do I mirror the drives on a domain contoller without deleating the
active directory? Please somebody help me?

 

[Richard G. Harper]

You aren't going to be able to do what you want unless you bring up a second
domain controller before you begin the process.

 

[Guest]

This is a small network, only one building and 30 stations. I can take the
domain controller down at night, but there has got to be a way to do this. I
dont even know how to demote a domain controller, or if it is nessisary to
delete the active directory? I really dont want to do that. Is there a way to
take a computer out of domain controller mode?

You aren't going to be able to do what you want unless you bring up a second
domain controller before you begin the process.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* In fond memory ... Alex, you shall be sorely missed
* http://www.aumha.org/alex.htm

I really need some help here. I want to Mirror the drives on a computer
acting as a domain controller. First off I can not seem to change the
drives
from basic to dynamic. I was told thats becuase the computer is a domain
controler. I really need the steps here. I was told I had to demote the
computer from being a domain controller, but if I did it would delete the
active directory.

How do I mirror the drives on a domain contoller without deleating the
active directory? Please somebody help me?

 

[Richard G. Harper]

No, there is not. You MUST bring up the second domain controller before you
demote the first, otherwise the domain will go away, all security records
and domain memberships will be invalidated, etc.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* In fond memory ... Alex, you shall be sorely missed
* http://www.aumha.org/alex.htm

This is a small network, only one building and 30 stations. I can take the
domain controller down at night, but there has got to be a way to do this.
I
dont even know how to demote a domain controller, or if it is nessisary to
delete the active directory? I really dont want to do that. Is there a way
to
take a computer out of domain controller mode?

You aren't going to be able to do what you want unless you bring up a
second
domain controller before you begin the process.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* In fond memory ... Alex, you shall be sorely missed
* http://www.aumha.org/alex.htm

I really need some help here. I want to Mirror the drives on a computer
acting as a domain controller. First off I can not seem to change the
drives
from basic to dynamic. I was told thats becuase the computer is a
domain
controler. I really need the steps here. I was told I had to demote the
computer from being a domain controller, but if I did it would delete
the
active directory.

How do I mirror the drives on a domain contoller without deleating the
active directory? Please somebody help me?

 

[Guest]

Richard,
I am greatfull for the help, but just telling me that I am wrong, is not
helping me much. Alright, I need a second domain controller, to take over the
network, thats fine. But I dont even know how to domote a domain controller,
or how to restore one afterward. I have tried looking it up in Technet, but
nothing really fits. I am really new to the IT game so forgive me for being a
bit lacking in NT info. Alright so for a new domain controller I will just
need another system with Server 2000 right, and to set in up like my
original? Then I can demote the original and convert the discs from basic to
dynamic right?

No, there is not. You MUST bring up the second domain controller before you
demote the first, otherwise the domain will go away, all security records
and domain memberships will be invalidated, etc.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* In fond memory ... Alex, you shall be sorely missed
* http://www.aumha.org/alex.htm

This is a small network, only one building and 30 stations. I can take the
domain controller down at night, but there has got to be a way to do this.
I
dont even know how to demote a domain controller, or if it is nessisary to
delete the active directory? I really dont want to do that. Is there a way
to
take a computer out of domain controller mode?

You aren't going to be able to do what you want unless you bring up a
second
domain controller before you begin the process.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* In fond memory ... Alex, you shall be sorely missed
* http://www.aumha.org/alex.htm



I really need some help here. I want to Mirror the drives on a computer
acting as a domain controller. First off I can not seem to change the
drives
from basic to dynamic. I was told thats becuase the computer is a
domain
controler. I really need the steps here. I was told I had to demote the
computer from being a domain controller, but if I did it would delete
the
active directory.

How do I mirror the drives on a domain contoller without deleating the
active directory? Please somebody help me?

 

[Phillip Windell]

I am greatfull for the help, but just telling me that I am wrong, is not
helping me much. Alright, I need a second domain controller, to take over

the

We deal with so many questions in here that we can't know everyone's skill
level up front. Please don't take it personal.

network, thats fine. But I dont even know how to domote a domain
controller,

From the Start Menu select "Run",..type DCPROMO,...click OK. Follows the
prompts,..know what you are choosing,..don't make wrong choices.

original? Then I can demote the original and convert the discs from basic to
dynamic right?

I believe so,...but I would encourage RAID (the mirroring) be done with
hardware instead of the OS if you have (or can get) the hardware to handle
it.

 

[Richard G. Harper]

All the information you seek is easily found in Technet, MSDN or the Windows
2000 Server System pages. Use Google.com rather than the Microsoft search
engine and you should find tons of information.

But briefly here's the scoop:

1. On a Windows 2000 Server, use DCPROMO.EXE to bring up a new domain
controller on your network. This will be largely automatic, just follow the
prompts.

2. Install DNS on the new server, create a forward lookup zone that is AD
integrated.

3. Install DHCP on the new server, and use DHCPEXIM to move the old DHCP
database to the new server.

4. Change the DHCP scope options to have all clients use both the existing
DNS server and the new DNS server for address resolution. This will allow
you to "down" the new server and maintain DNS functionality.

5. Create a Global Catalog on the new server.

6. Allow at least 12 hours for all these changes to replicate and for the
network to settle down.

7. Run DCPROMO.EXE on the old AD server and it will pass all its functions
to the new domain controller.

8. Repeat the steps above when the old server is ready to be put back into
service, except now the "old" DC will be the "new" DC, and the DC you just
created will be the "old" DC.

9. Use DCPROMO.EXE to demote the temporary domain controller when done, or
leave it in place for a backup.

May I suggest that if the above seems like a foreign language to you that
you are about to jump in the deep end of the pool and would probably benefit
from hiring some qualified assistance to plan and implement your changes, or
just leave well enough alone.