FSMO role question

[shadowfax1066]

Hi, we have 2 DC's, please answer these:
1.) How can I find out which server has the FSMO roles? 2.) Also, what do the FSMO roles do, and can they be on 2 servers?
3.) Plus if the FSMO role server goes down for good what will happen to our network and can I add them to the 2nd DC?

Kind Regards

Andy

 

[bofhrevenge2]

The idea is that critical master roles (FSMO Flexible Single Master Operations) is that they only exist on one server.

If a server with a master role on goes down you can seize the role to another server.

Take a look here for a good explanation.

http://computerperformance.co.uk/w2k3/W2K3_FSMO.htm

 

[markdmac]

You can find out which server has which roles using the NETDOM resource kit utility. They command syntax is NETDOM QUERY FSMO.

If the server holding FSMO roles were to crash permanently, you would need to seize the FSMO roles. If you plan to take a server down gracefully, then you should transfer the roles.

Microsoft has extensive documentation for transferring and seizing the roles on support.microsoft.com. Do a quick search there and you will find step by step instructions.

I hope you find this post helpful. Please let me know if it was.

Regards,

Mark