SLP master server replacement

[ILW]

Hi. The server which hosts our SLP has become unstable through age. The tree is due to be decommissioned in about 12 months so all upgrades/spending are on hold :-(

So I see 2 alternatives. As we'd prefer not to visit every server in the tree to change the SLP.cfg file, either:-

Move the slp services onto an existing server in the SLP OU and give it 2 IP addresses - it's own & that of the failing server.

or

Bring a new server up in the SLP OU with the IP address of the failing box & install SLP on it.

Thoughts pls? Any issues/gotcha's I need to be aware of? Tree is generally healthy. Good WAN links and one of the guys keeps a close eye on obits, etc.

NW5.1 SP6 EDir 85.30

Thanks in advance
Ian

 

[marvhuffaker]

I don't think its a big deal to touch every server.. I don't think what you are suggesting will work. You're just going to muddy it up. I could make the change to 50 servers in less than an hour, and it doesn't sound like your network is that big if you're going to make it go 'poof - gone' in one year..

Just go to the SLP.CFG file (ETC\SLP.CFG), change the SLPDA address there, and then do an "SET SLP RESET=ON". It should register the new address. It's easy. Also you'll have to create or change the SLPDA DNS object to reflect the new SLP master, and then load SLPDA on that server. Make sure your servers SLP Discovery Option is set to 4 - this forces it to read the SLP.CFG file instead of using autodiscovery methods.

If you are pushing out DHCP settings for SLP to workstations, you'll need to modify DHCP option 78 to reflect the change as well, and then restart DHCP service.

Marvin Huffaker, MCNE

http://www.redjuju.com

 

[ILW]

Thanks for the comments Marv. We went with the new server to replace old method, as the failing one was also the secondary Time source for the tree. So far, so good. NDS clean, SLP happy!

The network is around 90 or so NW 5.1 servers. The "powers that be" have been saying for a long time now that it's going away, but I think this time it's really going to happen. We've plenty of labour - I've seen them do similar scale projects in less time.

Thanks (as always) for your help & advice.

Ian