Don- We're in the same spot, with production DCs running on Dell and DR hardware often being Compaq. We've found that KB810161 (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;810161) has been important to successfully accomplishing the restores. Recently, we've also found that building the Compaq boxes with a SmartStart CD, instead of using an OS CD + specific drivers, to be much less painful. The IBM boxes that we've done test restores to have been less picky.
Hunter -----Original Message----- From: Don Guyer [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, August 08, 2003 3:12 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [ActiveDir] Disaster recovery scenario comments requested. David, We use similar methodology for our DR tests, by keeping a laptop running as a DC on our live network, then transferring FSMO roles at the DR site. This has worked flawlessly for us. We are now looking to be able to restore our AD evironment to a totally different server. Problem is, when we do DR testing we usually get Compaq hardware, whereas we are a Dell shop here. Don Guyer IS Dept Citadel FCU Ph: 610.380.7072 Fax: 610.380.7008 [EMAIL PROTECTED] -----Original Message----- From: Chianese, David P. [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, August 08, 2003 1:17 PM To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' Subject: [ActiveDir] Disaster recovery scenario comments requested. All, I want to run this DR situation by the group and see if anyone else can identify any "gotcha's" in the process. We are currently testing out a DR scenario that involves off-site Domain controllers at a recovery center. During normal operations the DR DC's are linked to our network via VPN and fractional T1 line in order for replication to occur. When we declare a DR test or go into a live DR situation where one of our sites becomes unavailable for an extended period of time due to an outage, network issue or terrorist incident (remember 9/11?) we bring the DR site up, seize the PDC emulator roll (to add workstations, accounts and perform other urgent replication) and let our clients continue operations in all of our remote locations with little interruption of service. Now, here is the hard part. when DR is over we disconnect the DR DC from the wire and delpart.exe (format/fdisk for ntfs) all of the partitions. The site that was down is then restored and the PDC emulator roll is back to its original state. We then take the DR DC and apply a ghosted image of the server as it was when it was first dcpromo'd and let it catch up on replication. This so far has worked flawlessly in the lab. We avoid doing the metadata cleanup of the server since nothing has really changed on the DR DC as it was re-imaged previous to the PDC emulator roll seizure. Our lab environment is a fraction of the capacity of our Production and not as complex. Can anyone see any problems arising down the road by doing a DR process like this? The other option planned is to already have the workstations and DR environments created in a separate OU so that in a DR situation we just need to let the site that is disconnected stay disconnected and then catch up on replication when it comes back. This is my preferred method of how to handle our DR woes, but unfortunately we are not there yet. I am only looking for feedback or you to play devil's advocate on the above situation we currently have in place. Thank you in advance for your comments. Regards, David Chianese Senior Engineer IT - Server Services Delaware Investments *Powered By Research A Member of the Lincoln Financial Group This e-mail and any accompanying attachments are confidential. The information is intended solely for the use of the individual to whom it is addressed. Any review, disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of this e-mail communication by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify us immediately by returning this message to the sender and delete all copies. Thank you for your cooperation. List info : http://www.activedir.org/mail_list.htm List FAQ : http://www.activedir.org/list_faq.htm List archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/activedir%40mail.activedir.org/ List info : http://www.activedir.org/mail_list.htm List FAQ : http://www.activedir.org/list_faq.htm List archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/activedir%40mail.activedir.org/ List info : http://www.activedir.org/mail_list.htm List FAQ : http://www.activedir.org/list_faq.htm List archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/activedir%40mail.activedir.org/
