Active Directory
Active Directory

Linking Head office IT with two branch offices

I currently look after the IT for a small company that has two smaller offices elsewhere.
I now have the opportunity to redesign their IT structure from scratch and am looking for alternatives to consider.
They currently run a Windows 2012 server at head office and use a synch program to provide local copies of the server files at the branch offices.
They also use hosted Exchange.
Head office Internet is not particularly fast, but better in the remote offices.
I am considering replacing the main server and supplementing it with two servers in the branches.
Should I use Active Directory for all authentication or should I be considering a cloud based alternative?

itfixerAsked: 2017-03-20

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LVL 22

David AtkinTechnical DirectorCommented: 2017-03-20

Hello,

How many users will be at the branch offices? What will the users need to access?

Depending on the user amount it might be worth setting up a VPN to the main office and have a DC at each site. This way if you're having users going between each site then they can use the same logon credentials to access the resources at each location. Its easier to manage users this way as well.

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LVL 14

SeanSystem EngineerCommented: 2017-09-19

I would suggest doing a VPN tunnel to each location. If file sharing is a big problem then i'd suggest a local server for their files that are not shared and then the main office hosts the shared files. I've done this with less than ideal internet speeds and it really does work just fine.

LVL 27

PberSolutions ArchitectCommented: 2017-11-20

No comment has been added to this question in more than 21 days, so it is now classified as abandoned.

I have recommended this question be closed as follows:

Split:
-- David Atkin (https:#a42055881)
-- Sean (https:#a42300483)

If you feel this question should be closed differently, post an objection and the moderators will review all objections and close it as they feel fit. If no one objects, this question will be closed automatically the way described above.

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