How to copy DC for testing purposes.

I want to get a mirror test domain identical to our current one. What I plan
to do is dcpromo a server and install dns...

Make it a global catalog, and then move it to a testing network where I will
hopefully Seize the rolls as though the Main DC has died....

I plan then to remove any reference of it from our existing domain.

Does this sound right.. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Chris

Hi Chris,

Yes, this would work (this is what I usually do). The other option is to
create a backup of your domain controller and restore it in test
environment.

Two things to keep in mind. Firs, make sure that your test environment
doesn't get mixed up with your production environment (or there could be
objects replicating that you don't want to replicate... etc).
And the second thing to keep in mind. It is not easy to delete domain
controller object from active directory. Here is an article that explains
how to delete it...

How to remove data in Active Directory after an unsuccessful domain
controller demotion
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/216498

I hope this helps.

--
Mike
Microsoft MVP - Windows Security

"Chris Dove" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:eBW7Xl$(E-Mail Removed)...
>I want to get a mirror test domain identical to our current one. What I
>plan to do is dcpromo a server and install dns...
>
> Make it a global catalog, and then move it to a testing network where I
> will hopefully Seize the rolls as though the Main DC has died....
>
> I plan then to remove any reference of it from our existing domain.
>
> Does this sound right.. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Chris
>

Do you think it may be easier to image the test dc, dcpromo it back to a
member server and then bring the image back to the server in the test
environment..


"Miha Pihler [MVP]" <mihap-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi Chris,
>
> Yes, this would work (this is what I usually do). The other option is to
> create a backup of your domain controller and restore it in test
> environment.
>
> Two things to keep in mind. Firs, make sure that your test environment
> doesn't get mixed up with your production environment (or there could be
> objects replicating that you don't want to replicate... etc).
> And the second thing to keep in mind. It is not easy to delete domain
> controller object from active directory. Here is an article that explains
> how to delete it...
>
> How to remove data in Active Directory after an unsuccessful domain
> controller demotion
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/216498
>
> I hope this helps.
>
> --
> Mike
> Microsoft MVP - Windows Security
>
> "Chris Dove" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:eBW7Xl$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>I want to get a mirror test domain identical to our current one. What I
>>plan to do is dcpromo a server and install dns...
>>
>> Make it a global catalog, and then move it to a testing network where I
>> will hopefully Seize the rolls as though the Main DC has died....
>>
>> I plan then to remove any reference of it from our existing domain.
>>
>> Does this sound right.. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.
>>
>> Chris
>>
>
>

Yes, this would also work.

--
Mike
Microsoft MVP - Windows Security

"Chris Dove" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> Do you think it may be easier to image the test dc, dcpromo it back to a
> member server and then bring the image back to the server in the test
> environment..
>
>
> "Miha Pihler [MVP]" <mihap-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Hi Chris,
>>
>> Yes, this would work (this is what I usually do). The other option is to
>> create a backup of your domain controller and restore it in test
>> environment.
>>
>> Two things to keep in mind. Firs, make sure that your test environment
>> doesn't get mixed up with your production environment (or there could be
>> objects replicating that you don't want to replicate... etc).
>> And the second thing to keep in mind. It is not easy to delete domain
>> controller object from active directory. Here is an article that explains
>> how to delete it...
>>
>> How to remove data in Active Directory after an unsuccessful domain
>> controller demotion
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/216498
>>
>> I hope this helps.
>>
>> --
>> Mike
>> Microsoft MVP - Windows Security
>>
>> "Chris Dove" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:eBW7Xl$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>I want to get a mirror test domain identical to our current one. What I
>>>plan to do is dcpromo a server and install dns...
>>>
>>> Make it a global catalog, and then move it to a testing network where I
>>> will hopefully Seize the rolls as though the Main DC has died....
>>>
>>> I plan then to remove any reference of it from our existing domain.
>>>
>>> Does this sound right.. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.
>>>
>>> Chris
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

Thanks.. I will give it a go....


"Miha Pihler [MVP]" <mihap-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Yes, this would also work.
>
> --
> Mike
> Microsoft MVP - Windows Security
>
> "Chris Dove" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Do you think it may be easier to image the test dc, dcpromo it back to a
>> member server and then bring the image back to the server in the test
>> environment..
>>
>>
>> "Miha Pihler [MVP]" <mihap-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> Hi Chris,
>>>
>>> Yes, this would work (this is what I usually do). The other option is to
>>> create a backup of your domain controller and restore it in test
>>> environment.
>>>
>>> Two things to keep in mind. Firs, make sure that your test environment
>>> doesn't get mixed up with your production environment (or there could be
>>> objects replicating that you don't want to replicate... etc).
>>> And the second thing to keep in mind. It is not easy to delete domain
>>> controller object from active directory. Here is an article that
>>> explains how to delete it...
>>>
>>> How to remove data in Active Directory after an unsuccessful domain
>>> controller demotion
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/216498
>>>
>>> I hope this helps.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Mike
>>> Microsoft MVP - Windows Security
>>>
>>> "Chris Dove" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>> news:eBW7Xl$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>I want to get a mirror test domain identical to our current one. What I
>>>>plan to do is dcpromo a server and install dns...
>>>>
>>>> Make it a global catalog, and then move it to a testing network where I
>>>> will hopefully Seize the rolls as though the Main DC has died....
>>>>
>>>> I plan then to remove any reference of it from our existing domain.
>>>>
>>>> Does this sound right.. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.
>>>>
>>>> Chris
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>