Will users be able to log on?

Hi all,

Two Windows 2003 R2 domain controllers
One domain controller(dc1) holds all roles but the another one (dc2) has no
role.
If DC1 dies, will users be log on to DC2 if dns dhcp setup proberbly?

Thanks!

John - as long as DC2 is also designated as a GC, then yes...

hth
Marcin

"John" <> wrote in message
news:A61B0261-5ED7-4024-973B-...
> Hi all,
>
> Two Windows 2003 R2 domain controllers
> One domain controller(dc1) holds all roles but the another one (dc2) has
> no
> role.
> If DC1 dies, will users be log on to DC2 if dns dhcp setup proberbly?
>
> Thanks!

Hello John,

If DNS and GC is on the other, yes, as mentioned also from Marcin. FSMO roles
are not needed for logon.

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights.
** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm


> Hi all,
>
> Two Windows 2003 R2 domain controllers
> One domain controller(dc1) holds all roles but the another one (dc2)
> has no
> role.
> If DC1 dies, will users be log on to DC2 if dns dhcp setup proberbly?
> Thanks!
>

In talking about the roles, I am assuming that we mean FSMO roles. Clients
can still log in to the other domain controller if the first DC is down.
However, it is important to make sure that the 2nd DC is also a global
catalog server. Clients will not (with some exception) be able to log in if
the 1st DC goes down and the 2nd DC is not a GC.

Also, having the PDC down for any extended period of time will turn out to
be painful for users and administrators. The PDC role is stateless so it is
a good idea to seize that role if DC1 goes down unexpectedly. If it is being
taken offline gracefully, then first transfer the PDC role. This blog
provides more information on the criticality of the PDC:
http://cbfive.com/blog/post/The-Role...-PDC-FSMO.aspx.
--
hth.

/rich

http://cbfive.com
http://cbfive.com/blogs


"John" wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> Two Windows 2003 R2 domain controllers
> One domain controller(dc1) holds all roles but the another one (dc2) has no
> role.
> If DC1 dies, will users be log on to DC2 if dns dhcp setup proberbly?
>
> Thanks!

As others have pointed out both dc's have to have dns and be designated as
gc's, but the clients also need to point their dns clients at both dns
servers. Otherwsie the dns will be available but the clients won't know how
to find dns services.

--
Paul Bergson
MVP - Directory Services
MCTS, MCT, MCSE, MCSA, Security+, BS CSci
2008, 2003, 2000 (Early Achiever), NT4
Microsoft's Thrive IT Pro of the Month - June 2009

http://www.pbbergs.com

Please no e-mails, any questions should be posted in the NewsGroup This
posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

"John" <> wrote in message
news:A61B0261-5ED7-4024-973B-...
> Hi all,
>
> Two Windows 2003 R2 domain controllers
> One domain controller(dc1) holds all roles but the another one (dc2) has
> no
> role.
> If DC1 dies, will users be log on to DC2 if dns dhcp setup proberbly?
>
> Thanks!