backup domain controller

[mirojr]

Hi

 

Is there a nice guide to setting up a second domain controller that anyone uses?

 

Thanks

[sted]

1 add server to network

2a if its not 2012 type dcpromo and follow the on screen prompts (if its a higher version of server than you currently run you will need to run adprep before promoting it

2b if its 2012 go to server manafger install the ad role then use the wizard to promote

[mirojr]

Its purpose would be as a backup dc.

 

Would it be preferable to make it Read Only DC or is it better to have it writable?

 

Thanks

[abillybob]

Its purpose would be as a backup dc.

 

Would it be preferable to make it Read Only DC or is it better to have it writable?

 

Thanks

 

It shouldn't really matter I have mine writable anyway just in case for some reason I find I'm on our second DC and I want to add a user its just for convince.

[Norphy]

There is no such thing as a Backup Domain Controller any more. BDCs went out with NT4. Active Directory runs on a multi-master model.

 

If you want an additional domain controller, either for load balancing or for redundancy, just have it as a standard domain controller and move one or two of the FSMO roles to it. You'd only use a RODC if you needed a DC in a remote office.

[Davit2005]

With a single Forest/Domain I'd Add an Extra Domain Controller as a Global Catalog, have the FSMO roles on one DC, install a secondary DNS (or use an AD Integrated Zone) and split DHCP scopes across the DC's, That's what I'd do. Edited June 3, 2014 by Davit2005