I am wanting to add a second AD into our domain for high availability and to move exchange onto a 3rd server when it arrives. The original AD server (2008 R2) has exchange 2010 and the ex-employee never did any updates i.e. service packs, rollups, etc. My question is, can I install 2008 R2 SP1 on the new server and dcpromo without issue or do I need to keep everything the same? Regards, Bob

Hello, for the new server, make it point to your DC as a primary DNS server (I suppose that your DC is a DNS server). Once done, run dcpromo and promote it as an additional DC and make it a GC/DNS server. After AD replication, your AD-integrated zones will be replicated to the new server. At that time, let each DC points to itself as primary DNS server and to the other one as secondary. By proceeding like that, you will ensure the high-availability of AD/DNS service and reduce the risk of losing your domain. For exchange, you have to move it on a member server as it is not recommended to run Exchange on a DC. For that, you have to move mailboxes ... More informations in Exchange forums. This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights. Microsoft Student Partner Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator: Security Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Security Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuration

Can I install 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 on the new server prior to a dcpromo or should I wait until after replication?

I don't see a problem by installing it. This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights. Microsoft Student Partner Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator: Security Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Security Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuration