Promoting SQL server or Exchange server to DC 1

[fs483]

Hello,

Has anyone ever attempted to promote an existing SQL or Exchange server to DC ? I know, the DC should be on a separate machine but I want to make a second DC in case the main one dies. I usually promote a server to DC before installing Exchange or SQL but we are in the situation were we need to do the promotion after. Any problems that I should expect. I know that policies for DCs are generally much more strict.

thanks
akwong

 

[markdmac]

You cannot run DCPROMO on a machine that has Exchange Server installed on it already. You would need ot run it before installing Exchange and it is a really bad idea because you would have to uninstall Exchange if you ever need to demote it to a member server again.

You should also NOT install SQL on a DC because there are SQL command that can be executed to give a SQL DBA admin rights to the server. It is a huge security risk.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

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[adamc1115]

Security concerns aside, yes, a SQL server can be promoted to a DC.

(On the security note, Microsoft does bundle Sql with SBS Premium... which is also a DC. It really depends on what you are using SQL for..)

 

[58sniper]

Security concerns aside, yes, a SQL server can be promoted to a DC.

But an Exchange server cannot.

Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2821.txt

 

[fs483]

Well the SQL server has a small 800 MB that stores data for a custom application. Users don't access the DB directly. The developpers did try to use the XP_CMDShell thing but it doesn't work as hoped. It's either putting a second DC on the SQL Server or putting on the TS Server. The main DC will be on the Exchange server but Exchange will be installed first.