Another Domain Controller

[redman71]

Is there a easy way to have a second box join a domain as a second domain controller? if so, do i just run dcpromo? and also, is there a way to have the second DC authenticate users if the first one goes down?
just ran into this problem this morning, and don't have a second DC up. I need this up ASAP, before i loose my job.

thanks

 

[kwei]

Yes you should be able to just run dcpromo and add it as a second DC to the domain. Shouldnt be any problems as long as the PDC is functioning properly when you do this. If not, things could be more interesting.

J

 

[GlenJohnson]

DCPROMO will work, just make sure you have a good backup of the first machine including the registry. Test the backup by deleting a test folder, and making sure you can restore it. Good luck. Glen A. Johnson
Johnson Computer Consulting
MCP W2K
glen@johnsoncomputers.us



"Uniformity is death, diversity is life."
Mikhail A. Bakunin (1814-1876); Russian writer and revolutionary.

 

[redman71]

Thanks!
And will the other DC kick in if the 1st one goes offline?

 

[GlenJohnson]

It's not really a case of "Kicking in". A domain is kind of esotaric. The two will replicate so they know the info each has. I guess it will kick in, but that's not how it works. Someday's I log into one server, and other days I log into a second. There's nothing I'm doing that's different, it just happens. Glen A. Johnson
Johnson Computer Consulting
MCP W2K
glen@johnsoncomputers.us



"Uniformity is death, diversity is life."
Mikhail A. Bakunin (1814-1876); Russian writer and revolutionary.

 

[dankelt]

As Glen stated, their really is no Backup server, they both will be Domain controllers. You will however have to make your new DC a Global Catalog, or follow the steps in the following link to dissable the requirement for a Global Catalog Server to validate user logons.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q241789

To make a DC a Global Catalog Server, go into Admin Tools, AD Sites and Services. Under Sites, Default-first-site-name, Servers, [your server], Right-click NTDS Settings, Properties, Click check box for Global Catalog.