Create Backup Domain Controller (BDC)

[Bickyz]

I hav win2k network with 10 w2k prof and 1 w2k advanced server. There are several users. I want to add new w2k advanced server as backup domain controller (BDC) so that if something goes wrong to main dc still my network will be running as usual.

Now i hav installed w2k adv server in one computer and connected to network now what are the steps? Do i need to join this computer to domain first or shall i straight start by using dcpromo frm run.

 

[diablo266]

first step: change the dns suffix in Netw ID>advanced...
then: add the server to the domain, making it a member server.
don't forget to setup the ip settings, static adress and reffering to your dns server.

then run dcpromo, making it an additional dc

When you use ad integrated dns zones, you can easely make it a dns server as well just by installing the dns service

 

[abrannon]

Bicyz;

All you have to do is run dcpromo. It will take care of everything else.

 

[bigpapapump]

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?SQID=848382&SPID=96&page=2

 

[Bickyz]

my dns server is the main dc, what dns address shall i put in this new dc. i put prefered as its own ip add and alternate as the main dc's ip add.

And also will all the redirected folders will be replicated to the bdc or not?

For test purpose what i did is, i created new user account in this main dc and switched of the main dc, now i tried to log as new user in client pc,it cant be logged on even the bdc is on y is that?

 

[abrannon]

Bickyz

Unless your new server is also a DNS server it's DNS settings need to point to the other server. How long did you let the servers run before you tried your test. The servers may not have fully replicated yet. What do you nean by redirected folders? Turn both servers back on and let them run, for a while. Keep an eye on the event logs to see when and if everything is replicating. Then try yuur test.

 

[Bickyz]

redirected folders mean all users my docs, desktop which has been redirected to the server's drive. actually ive used group policy which will redirect all users my doc and desktop the server's hard drive. so i wanna know whether these things will be redirected or not?

 

[abrannon]

Bickyz;

Probaly not. Most pathes are static. So the policy would not know to redirect the pathes to the new server when the other was down.

This server is not a True Backup of the other one. It will not have any of the local file stores that have been created on the original server unless you also set them up on it. Printers are the same way. The only things that are replicated are DNS, AD, GPO's etc.. not file shares and data stores.

 

[jtb]

1. there is no such thing as a BDC in a W2K network.

2. to do all of what you're asking--on a single server--might require a cluster or a SAN or an advanced version of robocopy or doubletake...

But there are easier ways to do these things (no this is not the post to tell you click here or push the XXX key there)... HOWEVER, in w2k there are these "FSMO" things that you really need to read up on... no one can effectively log in without a GC, for example...

Trust me, it's not the same as nt4. MANY of the things you did with nt4 will hurt your career VERY badly if you don't get some study time and planning time (and even practice time) before implementing them... I cannot emphasize this enough...

BTWE, you're in the big leagues now!! Get some training.

JTB
Have Certs, Will Travel
"A knight without armour in a [cyber] land."

 

[dholbrook]

Sorry, I have to agree with jtb. There is NO BDC in a Win2k network, you should be running Active Directory and can then have more than one DC in the domain.

However, by your description, you do not even have a domain here, only 10 workstations with one server. You do not show any domain controller at all, so where is this domain? I do not see any NT4 systems. If you do have a PDC, it MUST be the first system promoted to a Win2k DC or you will lose your user accounts otherwise. It seems we need a bit more info here????

To make the WIn2k server into a DC you simply need to do a dcpromo, add the active directory, DNS, WINS, etc. to the new DC. BUT...You need to completely understand what you are doing BEFORE YOU DO IT, or you will lose all your user accounts, etc., on the server when you promote it.

Likewise, IF there is an existing Domain, then the existing PDC MUST be upgraded to a WIN2k PDC equivalant, then you can think about adding a second DC, etc. You can not create a BDC under Win2k, however you could promote an existing BDC to WIn2k, but your system description does not match this.

REMEMBER..there are NO local logon accounts on the DC, only the admin account for restore, and the domain accounts, and by default all domain users are denied local access logon to the server, only the Domain administrator can log on locally at first.

ALSO, and JUST AS IMPORTANT, creating this first Active Directory server also sets up the first server in the forest, and that needs to be done correctly or you will regret it heavily later. Remember that you can not change the name of a DC once it is functioning as a DC, so pick it carefully first!

AGAIN.....PLAN AHEAD AND UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE DOING OR PAY DEARLY LATER!

HTH.

David

 

[GlenJohnson]

Good advice from all. Check out
http://support.microsoft.com:80/support/kb/articles/Q223/3/46.ASP&NoWebContent=1] FSMO Placement and Optimization on Windows 2000 Domain Controllers[/url]
Good luck.

Glen A. Johnson
If you're from Northern Illinois/Southern Wisconsin feel free to join the Tek-Tips in Chicago, Illinois Forum.

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