Redundancy

[Guest]

Ive got one DC in my enterprise with 1600 users. I would like to add another
domain controller identical to the existing in the event the current domain
controller fails. If I install win2k on another box, add AD and run DC
Promo on the new server....will that give me enough redundancy besides my
daily backups?

Any other redundancy ideas?

thanks!!

 

[Yor Suiris]

You will also need to install DNS on the 2nd DC as a Secondary to your
current DNS. (you do have DNS on your current DC right?)
Then you should balance out the FSMO roles between the two DCs (there are
six jobs that a DC needs to do, see MS doc 223787).
Then when one fails you will have to transfer the roles that it held to the
DC that is still active (See MS doc 255504) and also promote the DNS Zone to
Primary. The Users should then be able to Logon to the Domain.
Now If the failed machine is not coming back (Restored from Tape) then there
are also other services that a Domain needs/may have and will have to be
transfered/installed to the still working DC if they were on the failed one.
Such as Exchange, Terminal Services, Licencing & Certificate Server. You
should verify if and where these services are running and be sure to have
backups.
Also note your AD Info is saved/restored with your DC's System State. Be
sure you are backing that up.

You may also want to check MS Doc 216498.
Hope this helps and good luck.

 

[Yor Suiris]

Also maybe look at MS doc numbers 316790,315457 & 216498.
And also remember IIS & DHCP if your using them.