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Additional Windows 2000 DC on existing Windows 2000 PDC

I Have Small Business Server 2000 with Exchange 2000 running.
domain1.local

I would like to add another Windows 2000 DC to replicate between the two.
I am also going to implement a separate box and move Exchange 2000 to that box.

This will act as a fail over. So, if there is an issue, I will have users authenticate to the secondary box, and still be able to access Exchange on the separate box.

Is this a process whereby I run DCPROMO on the second server and then add it as a Domain Controller for a new domain and call it domain2.local? Would this allow domain1.local and domain2.local with both the same information etc (with replication between the two) to co exist?. So, if there is an issue, from the user workstation, I can simply choose the domain2.local from the list and then authenticate through that server to access exchange on another box?

Is there any special procedures to take into consideration when adding another Windows 2000 DC to an existing Windows 2000 DC environment, in the way how when you are adding a Windows 2003 to an existing Windows 2000 network requires domainprep, adprep and further Exchange 2000 considerations.  

Are there anything related to adding a 2000 DC to an existing Windows 2000 PDC?

Thanks for all the help as usual guys.
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jordibartrina

Hello,

"by design" a SBS domain can not store more than one DC, then you can not add a second DC box.
Then domain1 and domain2 are not the same domain and can not replicate Active Directory.
Same applies to SBS2003..

HTH
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ASKER

Ok, somehow I think i was aware of that as when u mentioned it, I remmebered.

Ok, well in that note, how do i achieve what i am stating above?

"I would like to add another Windows 2000 DC to replicate between the two.
I am also going to implement a separate box and move Exchange 2000 to that box."
TAKEN FROM:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sbs/2000/maintain/addsrvrs.mspx

Additional Domain Controller
Some of the possible reasons to consider an additional domain controller are as follows:

" An additional domain controller provides fault tolerance for user authentication.
 
" Adding a domain controller provides additional reliability to DNS services.
 
" An additional domain controller can improve the availability and reliability of network services.
 
" If the additional domain controller is installed at a company's second site, users there can authenticate locally.
 

Note: For replication purposes, hosting an additional domain controller at a second site is not recommended if the sites are connected over a dial-up connection.

SBS2000 & SBS2003 are a small software packaging from MS.
If you want build a more professional network: two or more DC, exchange with or without replication, isa server or another firewall/proxy available,SQL without limitations, ...

I think you are the candidate to leave SBS and be wellcome to Servers Area (no small bussines).
It seems to be expensive than SBS but, if you think about ROI and proactive safety... yes, proactive (not based only in backups), ... HA and services distributed in more than one server (can be Blades), then you are in a good way !!

It seems (your comments, confirm) you are in the line of grow to new topology!

Don't hesitate contact again.

HTH

Thanks for commenting. It is funny how you mention that.

I am in the process of awaiting quotations from my reseller for a total upgrade of Infrastructure. I should have received it yesterday, today I will follow up.

But, in the meantime, I am rebuilding and further safety'ing (sp?) my environement.

Can you comment on if there are any precautions and concerns that I need to take into considerations before I can add an additional DC in the existing domain in Small business server.

I did searches and there is nothing really documented in regards to this. Only adding a Windows 2003 DC to a Windows 2000 DC.

Thanks again  :)
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jordibartrina

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Hi there,

The article above states that I can add an additional Domain conrtroller to SBS 2000.

Configuring an Additional Domain Controller
Configuring an additional domain controller involves running the Active Directory® Installation Wizard on a Windows 2000 Server-based computer.

To set up the additional domain controller, perform the following:

1.
 While still in a workgroup, promote the server to a domain controller. (Click Start, click Run, type dcpromo, and then click OK.)

Note: For the domain controller type, you must select Additional domain controller for an existing domain. To complete the wizard you will need the Small Business Server computer's full DNS name.
 
2.
 Configure DNS to forward queries to the Small Business Server computer.
 
3.
 Select the server to be a Global Catalog Server.

Note: If you upgraded a Small Business Server 4.5 computer to Small Business Server 2000, a Windows NT Server 4.0 computer that was a backup domain controller on a Small Business Server 4.5 domain can continue in that role on the Small Business Server 2000 domain.
 
Also, just found this as well.
It applies to windows 2003 server.
But i believe it is the same for windows 2000
Sorry,

TechInNeedmm, I think you are thinking with a short (in time) solution for your network, but if you don't want to pass the deadline you can not connect a second DC in a SBS environment - http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2292124&SiteID=17 -

Really, it's clear: SBS is a one server solution for a enterprise.

I just added a windows 2000 server box as an additional DC to an existing small business server 2000 environment.

Had a little Hicuup.

For your records:
Make sure you grant access to admin group in TWO places.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=250874
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=232070
Thanks for all your responses.
Admin, please close this post.