disaster recovery & FSMO roles

[dogsbod]

I've just installed a second DC(w2k3)in my w2k domain, I wish for this new DC to be the primary server authenticating logons etc. If I were to do a DR with the system state of this new DC would it be successful even though none of the fsmo roles are on it. I know how to transfer roles, i'm just not sure if I need do it. Also is there a remote utility that allows you to see which DC users are authenticating against? thanks for your help

 

[Spirit]

In a DR situation you would need to sieze the roles anyway and ensure that if you recover the server it doesn't try to restart being the FSMO server.

I found this pretty informative;

http://www.petri.co.il/understanding_fsmo_roles_in_ad.htm

Transfer the roles that you want the new server to perform.

regards,
Iain

 

[dogsbod]

I'm pretty sure restoring the system state of a server that had all the fsmo roles doesn't require seizing the roles after a DR restore, I've not come across it in any docs.
I would prefer to leave fsmo roles were they are, ie. on first dc in domain, but I want the new w2k3 system state to be the backup I choses for a DR. I guess I'll transfer the roles to the new w2k3 dc and make it a second GC aswell

 

[MiniOrganMorgan]

From any client, drop to a CMD and type "set l", that'll tell which GC is authenticiating you.