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How many users can 2003 handle.
- Thread starter CRAIG2432
- Start date
WhoKilledKenny
MIS
ummmm what do you mean? Are you talking about how many local users on a member server or are you talking about running AD on Win2003 std vs. Win2003 Ent?
From a high level (if were talking Active directory), it is my understanding that AD will support over a million objects (users, computers, OU's, GPOs, Etc....). Microsoft states that a single DC can support 10,000 users, as far as logon goes. Usually ADs are running multiple domain controllers, each usually running Win2003 Std. Running enterprise version as a domian controller is based on Hardware and availabilty options, not the amount of user accounts you are managing. You would usually use Enterprise if you wanted to do an HA cluster on you DC or if your memory or storage requirements are larger than Std. can handle. I have not seen DC's running Enterprise version, but would not be suprised to see it out there...
From a high level (if were talking Active directory), it is my understanding that AD will support over a million objects (users, computers, OU's, GPOs, Etc....). Microsoft states that a single DC can support 10,000 users, as far as logon goes. Usually ADs are running multiple domain controllers, each usually running Win2003 Std. Running enterprise version as a domian controller is based on Hardware and availabilty options, not the amount of user accounts you are managing. You would usually use Enterprise if you wanted to do an HA cluster on you DC or if your memory or storage requirements are larger than Std. can handle. I have not seen DC's running Enterprise version, but would not be suprised to see it out there...
- Thread starter
- #3
WhoKilledKenny
MIS
I would suggest that you have at least two servers (per-site) both running as global catalogs and DNS, just for redundancy...
We are talking AD right?
We are talking AD right?
Microsoft used to have a tool for sizing AD in 2000 but I don't know if such a tool exists for 2003. Here is a link to some decent DC sizing info:
mrdenny
Programmer
- May 27, 2002
- 11,595
As far as total objects in AD is concerned...
A consultant who was working on the Windows 2003 AD roll out for the US Army told me that all bases in the European theater of operations were in a single AD domain. Given the size of the US Army that's a decent number of folks.
Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0: Configuration / Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007: Configuration)
MCITP Database Administrator (SQL 2005) / Database Developer (SQL 2005)
--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)
![[noevil]](/data/assets/smilies/noevil.gif "[noevil] [noevil]")
A consultant who was working on the Windows 2003 AD roll out for the US Army told me that all bases in the European theater of operations were in a single AD domain. Given the size of the US Army that's a decent number of folks.
Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0: Configuration / Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007: Configuration)
MCITP Database Administrator (SQL 2005) / Database Developer (SQL 2005)
--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)
The size of the domain (or forest) isn't usually a concern for most. But the number of DCs, GCs, DNS, and other resource servers is certainly something to consider. Would I put 10,000 people on a single DC? Hell no.
The original post doesn't state how many users are to be supported, nor how many locations, nor what the bandwidth is for each. Those are very critical in determining how many DCs you'll need.
Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -
The original post doesn't state how many users are to be supported, nor how many locations, nor what the bandwidth is for each. Those are very critical in determining how many DCs you'll need.
Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -
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