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peterkolva

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Using one domain across different subnets

We have different buildings throughout our city that is not on the domain and I would like  to add them to our domain and for them to have  there own subnet (192.168.0.x to 192.168.8.x).  I have one Windows 2003 server as our Domain Controller.  How do I configure the server to allow the other remote sites to join the domain having different subnets using only one domain?
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Brian Pierce
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There is no problem with clients on other subnets joining a domain so long as they have TCP/IP connectivity with the domain. That means providing the necessary physical links and making sure you have properly configured routers which allow the subnets to communicate with each other.
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Lester_Clayton

A workstation can communicate with any domain controller just as long as the router(s) that separate them know how to route between them, and the computer has the necessary routes (or default gateway) to find the server's network.  The server also needs the necessary routes (or default gateway) to communicate with the workstations.

There are lots of other conditions which need to exist for a Windows 2003 Domain, including DNS requirements, so you have a bit of work set up for you if you're not familiar with this.  Attached is an example network diagram which shows your scenario - note that each building has its own subnet and is all linked via a router which has a connection on all subnets.
SimpleNetwork.png
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ASKER

Do I have to do anything to the domain controller to allow this to happen?  Do you have to add the subnets to the server?  If so, how do you do that?
one of two options on the domain controller:

Add a route to each subnet, i.e. route add 192.168.1.0 mask 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.1 etc for each subnet or add a default gateway of 192.168.1.1 (assuming the network above)

do simple ping tests from the workstations to the domain controller and vice versa to ensure that TCP/IP communications is fine.
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Brian Pierce
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Thank You very much for the help.
As long as the domain controller can communicate the workstations you will be fine