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Real world Win2k DC requirements

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by wmr029 2 views

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We have a widely distributed environment (over 200 sites) I wouldlike the small print server at eachs ite to act as a domain controller (and possibly as a secondary DNS). GIven that we have less than 2000 computer accounts and about 2000 user accounts would a single processor (1.2ghz P3) with 512MB RAM and a single 18GB drive work? It's only other function will be hosting printers and holding files needed during logins. My goal is to reduce WAN bandwidth.

Please site real world experience.

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by timwalsh

It sounds like you have a single domain environment, is that correct? Is the user distribution fairly even among the sites?

Merely creating a DC at each site will not solve bandwidth problems. Log-ons require the services of a Global Catalog server. Once you create the DC at each site, enable it as a Global Catalog server; otherwise the log-on process would still propagate to your main DC for user authentication.

DCs at each site will create other bandwidth issues because of the AD replication process. However, you can control this through scheduling.

You might consider changing your DNS to use Active Directory-Integrated Zones. This way DNS info is replicated at the same time AD is replicated. That way, every DNS server will maintain the same zone information without a separate DNS replication process (because the zone information is maintained within AD).

Implemented in this way, the computer configuration you cite should suffice. You could schedule AD replicationto occur only during non-business hours. User authentication would take place on the local copy of AD (assuming the Global Catalog server is also local). The only remaining issue would be server load determined by the number of servers being hosted and the average size of print jobs at each site.

Good Luck.

by wmr029

I really need to hear from someone who can say from experience what works and what doesn't. I can get all the should/would/could answers from various consultants and instructors. I wan to thear from where therubber hits the road. BTW due to logustical concerns we will not be off WINNT at some of our domain controller sites for several years, so mixed mode is the only option fo rus at this time.

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