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Extra domain controller for a W2K domain

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11 replies

by donalconlon

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Hi,
I need to add a second domain controller to a w2k domain that does not have active directory installed. Is this possible? If not do we need our own dns server. At present we use public dns servers to access the internet.

11 replies

by ewgny

If you do not have Active Directory installed, you do not have a Windows 2000 Domain yet.
The Domain will be created when you DCPROMO your
windows 2000 server.
Yes you will need to install DNS for a Windows 2000 Domain. DNS in a Win2k Domain supports the necessary service records. DNS can be installed prior to DCPROMO, if it is not installed prior, it will be installed as part of the DCPROMO process.

by tazz_nl

It is NOT possible to create a Windows 2000 domain without ADS. So you cannot add a second domain controller if you don't have a Windows 2000 server with AD already. First create a Windows 2000 domain by running dcpromo on one of the existing Windows 2000 servers. To run AD you need a private AD/W2k compliant DNS server. Second. After installing and configuring your first Windows 2000 DC, yu can add a second Windows 2000 domain controller (dcpromo).

by curlergirl

Previous answers are correct as to the definition of a Win2K domain - you don't have one. Without AD installed, what you have is a workgroup. You can add a second server to your workgroup, but of course it won't be a Win2K domain controller, but aWin2K server that is a member of the same workgroup as the other servers and workstations.

Hope this helps!

by donalconlon

Hi everybody. Not sure why you all say its not a domain we have when the server says it is a domain controller and the name of it cannot be changed. Also each workstation logs on to the domain not the local computer.

by timwalsh

WHERE does it state that this server's role is a domain controller?

In Administrative Tools (either on your Start menu or in Control Panel), do you have any tools labeled Active Directory Users and Computers, Active Directory Sites and Services, or Active Directory Domains and Trusts? If not, how did you create user accounts for your "domain"?

Was Win2K SERVER installed from scratch or as an upgrade on an NT4 PDC?

The bottom line is that you CANNOT create a Win2K domain without implementing Active Directory. There is NO way to get around this.

Therefore, I suggest that you probably have a partial, though botched installation of Active Directory. Because it is a botched installation, you will not be able to add a second domain controller.

I suggest the installation is botched because you are using your ISPs DNS servers. Active Directory must add numerous records to DNS in order to work correctly. Almost ALL ISPs will NOT accept these records on their DNS servers.Therefore, is is pretty much mandatory to host DNS locally for AD.

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