Duplicating a server

[durilai]

I am running Windows Server 2K3, and I recently purchased a new server that I want to use as a backup. I would like to duplicate it exactly without imaging the drives. I want the DHCP, DNS, Active Directory along with all the shares and that type of stuff. Is there a utility that can do this, or will I need to reconfigure each aspect individually. Any info would be great, and thanks.

 

[RobBoberts]

Set the new one up and keep it online. Install Active Directory, DHCP, and DNS. Just don't enable DHCP on the new one. Active directory and DNS can be redundent(this is a good thing). Read up on DFS: this configures a link to shares on both servers that duplicates the data automatically (on the server go to the start menu: help and support: type in DFS).

Televison will make radio obsolete.

 

[aftertaf]

there is another way...
you can do a backup of the 1st, and use it to restore the 2nd...

just read about it in a book somewhere.... hang on..

-you install 2003 as a normal server, make it a domain member
-you do a full backup with system state
on the new server:
-type dcpromo /adv at prompt
-choose Additional DC for existing domain,
-on the Copying Domain info page: select the option to locate the backups (either local disk or network)

go thru the assistant's motions as for the 1st DC.....

this'll work for active dierctory...

however, for the rest, no.
it's manual work time i think.

plus, if both are on the same network... may as well do it clean and proper, albeit manually....

take it slowly, that's all..... having 1 that is correctly configured it better that 2 that are going haywire...

for the dhcp, use the 80/20 rule...
that way you have fault tolerance for the clients IP in case one goes down the pan.

Aftertaf (david)
MCSA 2003