network slow down when DC1 off

[jas0n]

test network, 2 * w2k DC's - both running active directory DNS, they
both point to themselves and the other DC as secondary for DNS. both
DC's are global catalogue holders and sync without issue.

dcdiag pass's fine
netdiag all fine

if i switch off DC1 the XP Pro SP2 (firewall disabled) workstation
connected to this test domain works but is much slower.

why is this?

is it something to do with the roles the DC's hold or just a matter of
the PC trying the primary DNS, timing out and then using the Secondary?

 

[Mike Aubert]

Actually, 2000/XP will reorder the DNS server list as necessary. So once it
figures out its primary DNS server is down it should use the secondary DNS
server and not retry the primary unless something goes wrong with the
secondary. Is the XP box configured with the IP addresses of both domain
controllers?

Also, when you say it is slower, what's specifically slower? Logon?
Connecting to file shares? Copying files?

------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Aubert
MCSE, MCSD, MCDBA
(e-mail address removed)

(Note the "news2" in my email address is temporary and may be changed in the
future, remove it to email me at my Permanente address)

 

[jas0n]

Actually, 2000/XP will reorder the DNS server list as necessary. So once it
figures out its primary DNS server is down it should use the secondary DNS
server and not retry the primary unless something goes wrong with the
secondary. Is the XP box configured with the IP addresses of both domain
controllers?

Also, when you say it is slower, what's specifically slower? Logon?
Connecting to file shares? Copying files?

yes, the client has both servers dns in primary/secondary

the machine itself is operating slower, opening windows or doing pretty much
anything takes a little while whilst it thinks about it and then it does
whatever you've asked. yet when DC1 is online its as quick as would expect.
DC2 is only running as a DC with no other tasks and is more powerful than
DC1 as far as processing goes, etc.

both dc1 and dc2 pass dcdiag and netdiag without issue, both are global
catalogues and AD integrated DNS so i thought if DC1 goes down it would
continue to operate without issue but it seems to slow the client down quite
a fair bit which is why i wondered if it was something to do with the roles
DC1 would be holding???