Adding new servers

[Steve1962]

I need your advice and wisdom!
We currently have a 2 Windows 2000 servers running 250+ clients (W2K Pro and XP-Pro). One as a DC, the other as DNS. We have now bought a third server, and at the moment it's just being used as a member server (I believe!... It's attached to the network and is being used to access data and software etc).
Now, I believe the DNS server was promoted to a domain controller. Was this a wise move, or will it help the running of the network?
Anyway, to cut a long story short, we have a server (DC) with all user files/AD etc, a DNS server, which I believe has been promoted to a DC, and this 3rd (new) server which I need to know what to do with. Can it be put to better use to make the network faster and more efficient, if so, how would I go about it?

Any advice and help appreciated. Thanks for your time.

 

[jfwebber]

Steve1962, it always good to have at least two domain controllers.

On the server that has "all user files", what user files are on there? Home directories, profiles, etc?

You can always use the new server as a member server that has the user data, apps, etc.

Jim

Jim Webber
Network Administrator MCSE CNA

 

[hewissa]

Having a second DC wouldn't hurt and is recommended as a means of fault tolerance. As for slowing the network and such, it more or less depends on how you have things configured...your hardware, network configuration, replication.

Hewissa

MCSE, CCNA, CIW

 

[Steve1962]

Okay, thanks... I just didn't want the third server 'wasted'. Apps and Intranet are run from it at the moment. Server 1 (user data) has Home Directories (approx 3000) and profiles.
So I take it a member server is nothing more than a PC with W2K server installed, attached to the domain?

When I said it looks as though the DNS server had been promoted to a DC, if I switch the main server off should I still be able to log on to the domain and access Home Directories etc. If not, what would I need to do? (Or is that a bit involved for this forum).

Is there a simple way to check if it's a DC?

Appreciate the help

 

[hewissa]

So I take it a member server is nothing more than a PC with W2K server installed, attached to the domain? - Correct.

When I said it looks as though the DNS server had been promoted to a DC, if I switch the main server off should I still be able to log on to the domain and access Home Directories etc. If not, what would I need to do? - No since DNS is required to point clients to Domain Controllers for authentication. SRV records reside in DNS, and are used to denote a DC. I would configure DNS on the second server and make it Active Directory integrated.

Simple way to check if DC? Check in AD Users and Computers under the DC OU.

Hewissa

MCSE, CCNA, CIW

 

[Steve1962]

Thanks, your help was much appreciated