Question

backup domain Controller did not take over

Asked by: hbrady

We have an active directory domain with 2 Windows 2K domain controllers.  Both servers are set as global catalog servers.  This weekend a UPS failure took my "operations master" down and with it went my entire domain.  For some reason the 2nd domain controller did not take over, why would that be?  I opened the AD sites and services when it was down (on my 2nd DC) and the domain was listed but it was empty.  No big deal because I fired up my 1st domain controller but I'm a little worried about what may happen if it suffers a major failure.

-Henri

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Asked On
2004-07-12 at 14:07:00ID21056182
Topic

Windows 2000 Operating System

Participating Experts
2
Points
125
Comments
3

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Answers

 

by: rhandelsPosted on 2004-07-12 at 14:10:28ID: 11533616

Hi,

Operation master settings aren't carried over if a server fails. You can do this while a server is down (some more steps, but it is possible), but if you choose to change these settings, you cannot bring the older  server online, becauese it holds the operation master settings..

But what do you mean with
>>I opened the AD sites and services when it was down (on my 2nd DC) and the domain was listed but it was empty<<

This normally doesn't happen. If the first DC is online and you go to Sites and Services, do you see both servers then?? I would test this and make sure to bring the first server down (for testing)

 

by: mikeleebrlaPosted on 2004-07-13 at 07:53:06ID: 11539535

rhandels is correct in stating that FSMO roles do NOT transfer automatically when a DC goes down (contrary to popular belief) BUT you domain shouldn't go down even if NONE of the 5 FSMO role holders are available,,, the only time you really need a FSMO role holder is if you are doing forest wide changes to your schema, adding new machines etc..... you users should still be able to authenticate and resources should still be available.  you said that both of your DCs were global catalog servers... this is NOT how it should be set up... read this article from MS regarding proper FSMO placement and proper placement of the Global catalog:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;223346

this article tells you how to move the roles:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;223787&Product=win2000

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