dhcp and domain controller info

[jimfixit]

can you configure the MS dhcp server (on server 2003) to give out domain controller information?

We have users across an MPLS network complaining about horrible slow logins. When I trapped packets I found they were connecting to a server on the other side of the WAN for DC services. When I asked the server guys why, they said they had no control over it, that there was one DC in the local office and one in the HQ office and the workstations just randomly "found" one to use...

I don't claim to be a windows server expert. I've done tons of Linux and Netware, and enough DHCP to know that the right DHCP server can give out some pretty specialized information, including options for IP phones and lots of other stuff.

Is it possible for DHCP to tell the user what DC to use? If it gave out a primary and a 'backkup' in case the primary is down, would it be possible to force the workstation to try the local one first?

Just trying to stop the "network's slow" complaints...

 

[dberg35]

Assuming that there is only one domain but two DC then this might be more of an DNS issue. Make sure DNS is running and the correct forwarders are in place. I had the same issue when I started at my current job 4 years ago, once DNS was setup then logins were quick.

 

[karlisi]

Its not DNS or DHCP issue. You have two LANs connected with WAN, so you should make two subnets and two sites with Active Directory Sites and Services tool. After that workstations in each site will use local DC first.
More here

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc787284.aspx

===
Karlis
ECDL; MCSA

 

[jimfixit]

Thank you both! I will study DNS just in case but the AD structure seems most likely. We have it subneted off already but I can't say how they have designed AD. How hard is it to 'change' an AD structure if not properly implemented? That will be out of the realm of my job, though unless something is done I will still get calls about 'the network is slow'...

 

[karlisi]

It seems like you have default AD site configuration, so there will be no problems. It is easy if you don't want to make very complex intersite replication schemes.

===
Karlis
ECDL; MCSA

 

[allywilson]

Might be worth checking the order of the DNS servers specified in DHCP config as well.