Windows 2000 Server: Backup Domain Controller?

[FOBSIDE]

I have someone that has a Windows 2000 Small Business server. It is running a domain controller, terminal server, and SQL server. They want it so that if the server fails for some reason, they don't skip a beat. I know NT server had something where you could specify a primary and secondary domain controller, but I don't know what this is called or how it works in Windows 2000. Does anyone have any ideas about this?

 

[imported_Phil]

IIRC, you make them both Active Directory servers.

 

[Crusty]

In AD there are no primary or secondary DC's. You just set them both up as a DC, and setup auto replication..

At least that's what I remember from this summer...

 

[duke2106]

Actually, you cannot have another domain controller with small business server. It can be the only domain controller. You can have member servers, sure, but you cannot add another domain controller.

If they really need it, they will need to purchase 2 Windows 2k or 2k3 server software and reinstall their domain. They'll also have to purchase exchange and other stuff if they use it (not too familiar with what comes with SBS, but I know it comes with exchange).

 

[stash]

Not entirely true. SBS needs to be the first DC in the domain, and it can be the only SBS DC, but not the only DC.

You could have the second DC be 2000 or 2003 (standard or enterprise), but you can't have another Exchange server. Not sure about SQL, but you could install TS on the second DC.

 

[Smilin]

Originally posted by: FOBSIDE
I have someone that has a Windows 2000 Small Business server. It is running a domain controller, terminal server, and SQL server. They want it so that if the server fails for some reason, they don't skip a beat. I know NT server had something where you could specify a primary and secondary domain controller, but I don't know what this is called or how it works in Windows 2000. Does anyone have any ideas about this?

That is an awesome idea. Be sure to tell them. Having a second DC will really really save your butt if things go bad. SBS users typically have only one DC and because of this many of them are really up the creek if their server fails and there are problems with the backups. Basically the whole domain is lost. Not an issue in a multi-DC environment. A quick FSMO seizure and metadata cleanup and the domain is perfectly healthy again.

Like the guys here said though: There is no primary and secondary in 2000. You just setup a second one and they are equal.

You'll need to know about flexible single-master operation, FSMO (aka Fizz-moe) roles if one of them dies though so be sure to read up on it now that you are adding a second DC. FSMO roles handle various essential tasks in active directory. You can have them scattered among several servers or consolidated on one. Should a server need to be taken offline for maintenance you may want to transfer any of its FSMO roles to a different DC. Depending on the role it may not be necessary if the server will only be down for a short while. If you have multiple DCs you'll also want to be sure your Infrastructure Master FSMO role is not on one of your global catalogs.