DC/GC Question 3

[GrantThomas]

Okay here is a quick look at our current setup"

server1 = gc FSMO
server2 = gc
server3 = dc
server4 = Exchange Server (member server)
server5-15 = member servers

We want to demote the DC (server3), but for exchange 2000 to work correctly it is going to have to have a dc correct?or can it run on two GC'S? we will eventually run a 3rd DC but not right away. If not we can make server2 a DC and demote it from GC. Can DSAccess function correctly? I am not an exhcange expert so I want a little guidence on this.

 

[Zelandakh]

Yes.
No.
You don't demote from gc to dc.
What do you mean function correctly?

You aren't an AD expert either

 

[GrantThomas]

I was meaning make a DC instead of a GC, it was used only for backup resons. I was not demoting the whole server just putting that in there so someone could understand maybe what I was trying to do, but appreantly people get flammed over something stupid.

My only concern from this would be if exchange would have a problem running on 2 GC'S or does or will it need a DC there as well.

 

[Zelandakh]

Yes - you have to have a DC accessible for Exchange to run.

 

[GrantThomas]

thanks,I will then take server 2 and make it a DC and take its GC role away. and then demote Server3.

So I will have Server1 = GC FSMO and Server2 = DC

What I dont understand why it wouldnt work with two GC'S servers, strange to me.

 

[Zelandakh]

You should always have 2 GCs in a domain.

You should always have 2 DCs in a domain.

What if one goes down?

And Exchange can't run in a workgroup, has to be a domain so removing the last DC isn't going to work.

 

[GrantThomas]

Yes i understand for backup resons which we will be implemting another DC we may just wait until those DC's will be ready. The thing is we are getting to upgrade a lot of servers and change some things around and I had these questions arise before planning something.

Maybe you can answer this. We dont have any old exchange 5.5 servers and our exchange server is in mixed mode, you think we should switch that to native?

 

[Davetoo]

Umm...what am I missing here? Currently you have three DC's, two of which are also GC's. Only DC can be GC's after all.

Run in native mode, no reason not to.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

 

[GrantThomas]

yes dave, the main question was can those GC'S be okay to run with exchange, I wasnt sure if exchange 2000 needed a DC to run along the side as well.

I thought it would be okay to run it with the two GC'S until we finaly implement the other DC'S but I wasnt sure so I asked this question and I seem to get different answers.

 

[Davetoo]

Wow...now I'm totally lost here.

Exchange only works in an Active Directory (AD) environment, which requires Domain Controllers (DC). In your AD, at least one of your DC's needs to be a Global Catalog (GC), because your Exchange server requires a GC to function properly in your AD.

Only DC's can be GC's, therefore, if you have a server that is a GC, it is then, by default, a DC.

For operational purposes, you can have one DC/GC and your Exchange, on a member server, will function just fine. Obviously, in case of failure, you should always have at least two DC's, and each of those DC's should then be a GC as well.

When you demote a DC, by default, it is no longer a GC either.

So, what you need to make sure of during your period of change, is that you always have at least one DC and at least one GC. The GC can be on one DC, or you can have two DC's and one be a GC, or they can be on two DC's (or more)...etc.

On this thread and in this forum, you are getting the same answer. If you're asking elsewhere and getting a different answer...well, they're wrong. ;-)

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

 

[GrantThomas]

I know it is confusing through typing. GC'S are DC'S basically for right now im just going to have a GC and one DC. Then we will be having a new DC in the future.

Reason for this occuring we have to demote our DC, we have 2 GC'S and 1 DC. so for right now which i dont want to I guess I will make one of my GC'S a DC and demote the old DC so I will have:

Server 1 = GC
Server 2 = DC
Server 3 = Was old DC now member server

 

[Davetoo]

Wow..ok, it's not me, it's you.

Right now, you have two domain controllers and one domain controller that is also a global catalog.

You're not reading/comprehending/understanding what I'm telling you. You may want to bring in a consultant to assist you...someone that knows and understands Active Directory.

Again, in order to be a global catalog, the server first must be a domain controller. So you can't demote a global catalog and make it a domain controller...IT ALREADY IS ONE!

Best of luck.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

 

[GrantThomas]

right now server 2 = gc

so your saying if i went into site and services and right clicked on server2 and unchecked from being a GC it wouldnt make it a DC only? I know a GC is a DC but if I at least need a GC and a DC then that is my only options right now, im not demoting server2, just taking its GC rights away.

 

[Davetoo]

it will remain a DC.

Good luck.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

 

[NortonES2]

Currently you have 3 DC's of which 2 are also GC's.

You can demote server 3 and exchange will still be OK. Also your AD should be OK as you will still have 2 DC's which are both GC's.

Do not run your network with only one DC or only one GC, always a good idea to have redundancy built in.

-------------------------------

If it doesn't leak oil it must be empty!!

 

[NortonES2]

GT, just read your latest post (missed it before) would strongly advise leaving server 2 as a GC.

-------------------------------

If it doesn't leak oil it must be empty!!

 

[GrantThomas]

Norton ES2, that was exactly the answer I was looking for and I am not trying to confuse people with anything, my first plan was only demoting the DC then I thought maybe it needs a DC only to run and not a GC

So to clear everything up here and sorry for the confusion that I may have caused with all this maybe I should be a little more clear.

Server 1 = GC
Server 2 = GC
Server 3 = DC demoting to member server

New config:

Server 1 = GC
Server 2 = GC
Server 3 = member server

^^ Exchange 2000 SP2 should work fine with this config then.

I plan on adding two more DC'S in the future but the current DC is out of date.

 

[Davetoo]

lol..ok, glad you got it sorted out. He didn't say anything that already wasn't clearly explained to you in this thread.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

 

[GrantThomas]

well I think I wasnt as clear enough I should have put it more in diagram form instead of paragraph form. Thanks for you help though. Just want double check with other before we make a change on something thats why I asked.

 

[Zelandakh]

A star for Dave for devoting a lot of time to this.