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Where to put 2nd domain controller?

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by mselchow

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I'm running 4 Win2k servers. The first is the brains of my operation, amoung many tasks, its the first domain controller. The second box is a web server that stands behind the DMZ port on my firewall. The thrid is my Exchange 2000 box and the 4th ismy primary file server. I'm think that the file server is the most logical place considering that the web and mail server don't seem appropriate. Ideas? (And no, I don't have another box to put the controller on.) Thanks, matt.

13 replies

by bmyers

Once you promote a second DC onto the network, there is no longer a (brains of the operation) because the DCs in Win2K are equal. It would depend on which service you could do without when one DC goes down. I would promote the file server to a domain controller if file serving is less important than email, or, visa versa.

by mselchow

I guess what I need to know is what kind of impact the DC is going to have on my mail server or file server. Both are critical pieces of equipment and I need to know which will be least likley to be affected by the addition of a DC. We only have 20 users authenticating, but that number will double this year and on.

by curlergirl

I think you are right that the file server is the most logical place to have a second DC. At your current user level, it really doesn't make much difference - there wouldn't be a noticeable impact on either Exchange or file serving with only 20 users. However, if you foresee getting up into the hundreds of users, you will want to keep your Exchange server free from additional burdens. Hope this helps!

by pan 13 x

you are correct as a matter of fact and can also use this a active directory intergrated dns server also , just incease your dns server fails. the file server really doesn't have much going on except from opening and saving doc's. so yes this would be the best place for the contoller. As I was saying you would also think about the backup to your dns server also. Hope this answers your question.

by uffe.sommerlund

The answers you hav got so far about putting the second DC on the File server could right now look as a good idear but you all will have too look a little bit longer in the sign / Future and maybe persue a little pizza box like a Compaq DL 320 or DL360 as a second DC. Now I do not really now which maschines runs in your server park today but if Your business can take to be without work for 2 or 3 days then dont worry. If Your business is a money cow they cant worry about being out of business for only maybe 1 hour like (telecommunications, medical business, Banking and so) then you will need to be serious and plan at least a mashine of 2 processors for the Logon DC + Backup DC?s.

BR
Uffe
good luck

by uffe.sommerlund

The answers you hav got so far about putting the second DC on the File server could right now look as a good idear but you all will have too look a little bit longer in the sign / Future and maybe persue a little pizza box like a Compaq DL 320 or DL360 as a second DC. Now I do not really now which maschines runs in your server park today but if Your business can take to be without work for 2 or 3 days then dont worry. If Your business is a money cow they cant worry about being out of business for only maybe 1 hour like (telecommunications, medical business, Banking and so) then you will need to be serious and plan at least a mashine of 2 processors for the Logon DC + Backup DC?s.

BR
Uffe
good luck

by uffe.sommerlund

The answers you hav got so far about putting the second DC on the File server could right now look as a good idear but you all will have too look a little bit longer in the sign / Future and maybe persue a little pizza box like a Compaq DL 320 or DL360 as a second DC. Now I do not really now which maschines runs in your server park today but if Your business can take to be without work for 2 or 3 days then dont worry. If Your business is a money cow they cant worry about being out of business for only maybe 1 hour like (telecommunications, medical business, Banking and so) then you will need to be serious and plan at least a mashine of 2 processors for the Logon DC + Backup DC?s.

BR
Uffe
good luck

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