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Adding a Second 2008 DC for remote office

Hi all,

I'd like to confirm a few steps before i go ahead and add a second dc for a new second site.

Here is what we currently have.

Head Office (192.168.1.x)
1 x Windows 2008r2 Server, its a DC and also our File server
Office has 30 desktops pc's.

New Office (192.168.2.x) Not live yet, still in planning, hoping to go live next week
We have just purchased a second office and both will be linked via adsl lines using Sonicwall Site to Site VPN networks.
This site will have around 20 users so we have decided to go for a second Windows 2008r2 Server and make it a Second DC and File Server.

For me to add the second DC should I be creating new AD Site or just a basic second DC and enable GC to allow logon, there are no security issues as its all one small company so i dont really want to complicate the network.

Other than making the second DC a GC server and DNS,DHCP is there anything else i should be doing to optimize local logon? any new features that will help ?

Thanks

Mike Kline

Nice job getting a second DC up. Yes create a second site and associate 182.168.2.x to that site.

You will want to connect the two sites with a site link. Make sure the clients in the new site are pointing to the local DC for primary DNS.

Are you at 2008 R2 forest functionality? If yes then enable the recycle bin

Thanks

Mike

roger_patel

ASKER

Thanks Mike,

Just a well I asked, I was going to simply add it as a "additional DC" I've never had the need to create a site link before, would you mind giving me the reason in doing it in this manor as to a typical second dc. I presume there are some benefits somewhere?

Yes will be in R2 forest and will look into the recycle bin, sounds like a great idea.

Thanks

Roger

Sarang Tinguria

For your second query refer below thread
http://www.techtalkz.com/windows-server-2003/34597-why-do-need-create-subnet-sites-services.html

roger_patel

ASKER

Hi guys

I've been doing some reading and noticed that one point was that a site link is needed if you are unable to route to the opposite networks, in my case we have full VPN access to each site, any thoughts?

Mike Kline

Site link is needed so that your current site and remote site are connected. the default site link should work in this case, but I like doing more descriptive site link (something like HQ to Remote site)

more on creating it here http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc783909(v=ws.10).aspx

Thanks

Mike

roger_patel

ASKER

Thanks Mike,

I agree, would be nice to have a more descriptive link.

Do you have any posts on how to create this site link, based on me having two subnets, two servers and two sites ? any guides I can follow at all ? I don't want to find out i did it wrong after its been deployed.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Mike Kline

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