Another Domain Controller As Time Source
I've looked atplenty of documentation regarding setting up time source in a 2003 domain but I have found nothing that straight up saids if you want to change your time source fromthe first domain controller of that domain to another here is how you do it.I have a small isolated 2003 domain with two domaincontrollers. I like to make the second domaincontroller as the time source for that domain. I am looking at taking the primary domain controller off lineand that it why I want topromote the secondary domaincontroller to being a reliable time sourcefor thatdomain.Any help in resolving this matter would be most appreciated.TIA.Vincent
December 12th, 2008 2:07am
Hi Vincent,
As Time synchronization that is based on a domain hierarchy uses Active Directorys domain hierarchy to find a reliable source with which to synchronize time.
Based on domain hierarchy, the Windows Time service determines the accuracy of each time server. In a Windows Server 2003 forest, the computer that holds the primary domain controller (PDC) emulator operations master role, located in the forest root domain, holds the position of best time source.
The simply way to make the second domain controller as the authoritative time server in the domain is that: you may transfer the PDC emulator role to the second domain controller from the primary domain controller that you want to decommission.
Please refer to:
How to view and transfer FSMO roles in Windows Server 2003
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324801
How to view and transfer FSMO roles in the graphical user interface
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/255690
Hope it helps.David Shen - MSFT
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December 12th, 2008 12:30pm