setting up test AD network to mimic production network

[Hung Tran]

Hi,

I want to set up a test active directory network that is identical to
my production active directory. I know in the past with the NT domain
model, all I had to do was to isolate a BDC, and then promote it. Now
with all the FSMO roles, as well as the global catalog, I'm not sure
exactly how to do this.

I've tried building up a Win2K DC and then taking it off the
production network. But when I try to manage anything via the MMC, it
complains about not finding the domain controller.

Can someone point me in the right direction? I'm pretty sure I need
to setup DNS on the test Active Directory domain controller, and also
assign it the FSMO roles. I just don't know how to do the latter. I
know I can seize or assign the roles, but that requires transferring
the role from a production domain controller.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions/help.

-Hung Tran

 

[Chriss3]

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting up Additional Domain Controllers:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/planning/activedirectory/domaincntrl.asp


Troubleshooting Common Active Directory Setup Issues in Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;260371

Basic Concepts of DNS and Active Directory
http://www.microsoft.com/windows200.../techinfo/reskit/en-us/cnet/cncf_imp_ZZUI.asp

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Regards,

Christoffer Andersson
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[J.H]

Hi there,

Do you have additional domain controller available in production network ?
If you do, try:

- Make sure you have DNS integrated on that DCx
Point that DC to itself as DNS1, DNS2 as the 1st DC of your prod. network
- Make sure you have them seperated on the network or you regret !!
- Bring that DCx to another switch
- Seize 5 FSMO role (command line only since the 1st DC is on another
network)
Hung:
Seizure Operation does happen when the 1st DC is off-line forever !
It means it does not need the 1st DC to be online for doing the seizing
operation!!
- It should be okay after you seize the FSMO roles to this DCx. (oh!!,
remember
to point DNS2 of that DCx to itself after the seizure operation !!)
- Beside, learn how to remove the off-line DCx that you moved it to test
network, or
there will be warning, error logs reporting because the DCx replication
could not be
replicated to the off-line DCx. Probably must be metabase in AD also !!

Good luck,
J. Phuoc Ha

 

[Hung Tran]

J.H.

Thanks for your suggesions. It's very helpful!

-Hung