Connecting two servers

[tmandu]

was previously posted in the Microsoft INternet iNformation server formum by mistake----Sorry
I have our main WIndows NT 4.0 server running our print and file services, Exchange and also a large database. Our application vendor has told us that I need to move the database off to a new server and dedicate the new server to the database. I have purchased a new server and will configure it with Windows NT 4.0. How do I get the first server(our present server) to talk to the second new NT server and have the users connect to the second server automatically. Lets call the first server "America" and the second server "Junior". The users now through a login script login to "America". The client portion will be on the local I believe.

How do I "connect" the two ? I have a network cable near by to plug "junior" into the hub but then ????

Do I have to configure all the users on the second server also ???

I beleive now I have to set up trust relationships between the two servers. I've been reading a little about it. Do you know If the second server has to be a backup domain controller or can it be configured as a MEMBER Server-

My book says that I have to make it either domain or backup contoroller server .This is where im getting confused. Is there a place where I am going to tell it you are a member server only , then can I set up trust relations hips with our PDC with the member server- I dont want to have to have it as a backup controller becuz then it wil not have to have a copy of the domain database and authenticate client logins.ANd of courese you can only have one primary domain controller ---Right ????

Thanks---

Tmandu

 

[csjoseph]

If you are not using a Domain, then you are using a workgroup. Either way, You need to have both Junior and American plugged into hub. Assuming you are using TCP/IP, configure both NIC cards with IP addresses on the same subnet. After that, and a reboot.

Chris
LAN Admin / Programmer
cjoseph@hdii.com

 

[tmandu]

Thanks - I am using a domain - America - So you are saying that nothing else has to be done - I dont have to setup trust relationships. The AMERICA domain is already configured and has been running for 3 years. I am using TCP/IP How do i assign a ip number to the second server (junior).? What ip number should I use ? where do I find this info for the "America" server.
Thanks

 

[csjoseph]

You should have Junior join the America Domain. You do this in the control panel > networks. This is also where you will be able to assign an IP address and subnet mask. Also in this case, I'm assuming America server is the PDC then your user information will be available on Junior when it is connected. It will not validate logins unless it is a BDC though. Chris
LAN Admin / Programmer
cjoseph@hdii.com

 

[tmandu]

oko - so one of my choices will not be to make JUNIOR a member server when I set it up. You are saying that i have ot make Junior a BDC ??

 

[csjoseph]

No you do not have to make Junior a BDC, if you do, it will assist the PDC in validating logins when alot of users are logging in. If you make Junior a member server, then the user data will be there but only for local login purposes. Chris
LAN Admin / Programmer
cjoseph@hdii.com

 

[tmandu]

Ok -(with Junior) as a member server. that is what I think I want Junior which will be striclty for our accounting package. When someone logs in to AMERICA server then they will automatically be allowed on the JUNIOR server. Right ?
The server was originally set up with one login.bat that everyone uses .. in it there is

net use F:\\america\hsys and all the other drives

so now do I add x:\\junior\hsys to it-

Do I have to have the same number of licenses on the Junior server as on the America server. ???

Im assuming "they" set up America as a PDC . ANyway to tell?

 

[csjoseph]

Yes if your users can see the America server, they will be able to see the Junior server. You can add that mapping to the login script or do \\Junior from the run line.

You need licenses for Junior server as well. Unless you have some sort of enterprise package that allows unlimited installs. You would probably need a license for NT and then user licenses for the DB that you are using.

You can check what kind of server it is in.

Start > Adminstrative tools > Server manager.

The type of server should be in the second column. Chris
LAN Admin / Programmer
cjoseph@hdii.com

 

[tmandu]

Thanks a lot.

America is a primary server. I also noticed that awhile ago we had another server on it which we used for a modem communciation server which i retired. THe listign is still there and apparently they set it up as a backup. I 'll have to wait until my new hardware comes in and decide. It probably would nt be a bad Idea to have the "junior" server also serve as the backup domain controller. As long as there is not much overhead. I guess I'll have ot see it to believe it htat all my printer settings and resources availbale off of ameica will now still be present from Junior. That will so cool if it does this for me.

That is it for now-if I get stuck any possibility of emailing you directly ? Just a thought. If its to much I understand.

Time to go.
Thanks

 

[csjoseph]

No problem. If you set up Junior as the BDC it would not be too bad unless you have alot of people logging in at the same time. It would also be good redundancy if your PDC goes down. Then you will still be able to have users login.


cjoseph@hdii.com

Chris
LAN Admin / Programmer
cjoseph@hdii.com