Test Domain controller

[pcdudekc]

What is the best way to test a new domain controller with out just shutting the other one down?

 

[pagy]

How do you mean test it? If you mean will users still be able to login if the other DC goes down then;
DNS will need to be functioning properly (Do you have AD integrated zones?)and are both DCs running DNS?
If you use DHCP you will need to issue both DNS server address to your clients in the DHCP scope
If you statically configure your PCs they will need both DNS server addresses manually configured.

For users to login a global catalog needs to be available (except for the administrator who can login without a GC)

Then you need to consider FMSO roles;

http://www.petri.co.il/understanding_fsmo_roles_in_ad.htm

Pay particualr attention to the section about Global Catalogs and the infrastructure master role.

If you have the above all sorted and you understand FSMO roles there should be no problems if one DC does go belly up.

To answer the question directly though I would think you would have to either pull the network cable out or shut down one DC to test the other one.


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