I would like to get help in setting up AD, DSN & DHCP roles. Scenario: We have a main domain (ABC.CORP) running in server 2003 std edition. IP address - 10.X.X.X I would like to set these roles in the test machine (either in server 2008 or 2003) & My doubt is if I add the test machine with these roles to the main domain (ABC.CORP), will there be any DNS, DHCP or AD issue or any kind of issue. Alternative plan is to install a 2nd NIC in my PC & get the test machine connected to my PC's 2nd NIC with a cross over cable. For doing that I need some advice pls..... 1. If in the case of 2nd plan, do I have to have the IP for 2nd NIC as 10.X.X.3 as my first nic's IP is 10.X.X.2 or my second NIC has to have a 192.X.X.X or 172.X.X.X address. If it should have the IP as 192.X.X.X or 172.X.X.X address what are the defual gateway or DNS address should be and how the 2nd NIC will get IP address. Can you guys pls explain.

I do not recommend either of your plans. Your best bet is to setup a computer with plenty of RAM install Virtualization software (Microsoft Virtual PC, VMWare, etc...) Create a Virtual Guest machine for each computer you need to bring up for this test domain. The second plan has a few issues. Your PC cannot be a member of two domains so there is no point in moving forward with this plan. Additionally, you wouldnt be able to simply pick a random subnet for that second interace. You would have to check with your network team to make sure that the subnet you choose for the second interface is not also defined somewhere else on your network. Otherwise, you may have issues getting to that network since it will be located as a local interface on the PC. The virtual scenario would work best because it does not require additional hardware, or any networking configuraiton. If you choose to use Virtual PC, then you can simply have the guest systems use a private interface so that their networking traffic will not interfere with any other traffic on the network. I have some articles and videos regarding virtualization that can get you going: http://www.anitkb.com/search/label/Virtualization?max-results=5 Visit: anITKB.com, an IT Knowledge Base.

Hi thanks for your reply. Actually there is no 192.X.X.X network, but we have only 10.X.X.X network. I had doubt regarding the cross over connection - if it will work as the 2nd NIC in my PC will have to have 192.168.X.X address & the NIC in another computer also have to have 192.168.X.X address range to communicate. My doubt is will that work, as the 1st NIC is 10.X.X.X address & the 2nd NIC will have 192.168.X.X address in order for the cross over connection. If it will not work, can you pls explain or if you have any article pls also let me know. By the way thanks again for the video link. Thats informative.

Hello, if i understand you correct, you like to have a test environment from your production domain. See here about: http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/jorge/archive/2005/11/19/105.aspx http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/jorge/archive/2005/11/19/107.aspx http://www.pbbergs.com/windows/articles/TestDomain.html Don't work with multihomed DCs(more then one ip address used, RRAS enabled or WINS proxy), this result in multiple problems.Best regards Meinolf Weber Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights.

Hey thanks for your message & links, that was helpful.

Sorry for the delay in response. To answer your question about the dual NIC PC. Yes, having one NIC on the 10.x.x.x network and the other on the 192.168.x.x network would allow your PC to communicate with both segments. No routing would occur through the PC (unless you enable IP routing.). However, as I mentioned before, the PC would not be able to join both the production and the test domain at the same time. A computer can only be a member of one domain at a time. I am glad you found the VM videos useful. If you really want to set up a test environment, I highly recommend going with the virtual option. It is the most flexible. Once you get educated about VM products, you will find them very useful and extremely valuable. Visit: anITKB.com, an IT Knowledge Base.

Hey thanks again for your reply.

can you also give me some hand on my another thread pls - here is the link - http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/winserverManagement/thread/89d4e0c9-7736-4fe1-baf9-a40dd9b0ac6e

Yes, sure. On my way there....Visit: anITKB.com, an IT Knowledge Base.

Hi again my apologies for not replying back to the messages you have posted. I wanted to say thanks for the reply.

Hi JM, Can you help me with this question please which is in the link - http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/servervirtualization/thread/93f4c000-7a60-4818-a014-96dd69a780d1 Hoping to hear from you.

Hello, please check out the following articles: http://blogs.technet.com/b/askperf/archive/2010/03/25/the-curious-case-of-event-id-56-with-source-termdd.aspx http://www.thegremlinhunt.com/2007/12/18/problem-windows-vista-remote-desktop-disconnects-first-attempt-allows-second/Best regards Meinolf Weber Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights.

Hello mywindows, I would most definately take a look at the links provided by Meinolf. Visit: anITKB.com, an IT Knowledge Base.