Missing DCs from _sites container

[troye]

We've noticed that Domain Controllers are mysteriously disappearing from DNS. We have 14 DC's and it seems that there are always the same 10 that disapear from the

DNS/Fwd Lookup Zones/"domain"/_msdcs/dc/_sites folder.

All other DC information in DNS is OK, only the above container is missing the DC's. This causes users to home to the wrong server when logging in, causing slow logins.

If we run a netdiag /l /fix on each individual missing servers, DNS is repaired and the DC entries are placed back into DNS _sites folder.

We are trying to figure out what is causing these DC's to be removed from DNS. Recently we have installed a new Exchange 2003 server. We noticed the first time we ran ForestPrep and DomainPrep the same thing happened and we had to run netdiag /fix on all the missing DC's. Since the first netdiag /fix DNS has been OK. But we've just noticed that DC's are missing once again and neither of those tools have been ran. Still searching around to see how and why these entries would be delete/removed.

Any ideas would be helpful.

Avtechs

 

[GlenJohnson]

Checked for error messages?

Glen A. Johnson
If you're from Northern Illinois/Southern Wisconsin/Central Florida feel free to join the Tek-Tips in Chicago, Illinois Forum.
TTinChicago
Johnson Computers

 

[troye]

Thanks Glen,

But there are no error messages in Event Viewer.

Just another note, the missing servers can only receive replication updates but cannot SEND replication updates.

Thanks.

 

[intelwizrd]

Is it possible that the records are expiring and therefore not updating. As for the missing servers not being able to SEND updates, is that an administrative choice or a problem with your domain and replication?

----------------------------
Josh
CCNA, MCSE 2003(in progress)

 

[troye]

It may be possible that the records are expiring although i'm not sure HOW they are expiring or where to check this?

The missing servers that cannot SEND updates is one of the problems that is caused by their entries that are missing from the

DNS/Fwd Lookup Zones/"domain"/_msdcs/dc/_sites containers.

So i'm looking now if there is another way to log DNS activity other then Event Viewer (Event View doesn't show any errors).

Any ideas?

Avtechs

 

[intelwizrd]

Are there any errors on your DC's relating to AD or replication? Check your PDC for these.

As for the logging of the DNS activity, I'm not sure.

----------------------------
Josh
CCNA, MCSE 2003(in progress)