Creating a Test LAN

[njbennett122]

Hi,

I should really know how to do this, but I’m having problems, hence my asking here.

Basically I want to create a test environment for a network that already exists, but have the test servers running identically to the live servers.

1. My current network contains 4 DC's and 1 Exchange Server.

2. My test network requires 1 DC (fully functional with current live AD database intact) and 1 exchange server.

I cannot figure out how I can create a complete replica of my Active Directory and use it offline.

I’ve tried creating a new DC on the live network, disconnecting it and reassigning the roles to itself, but this isn’t working. I am not able to join machines to the domain and the server is not functioning as it should.

I would consider a system state backup on the live network and restore to the test machine, but the two machines hardware are very different, so would not work too well.

Can anyone advise me a way of doing this?

If my description is crap, please feel too to ask for clarification.

Many thanks!

[sufu]

Create an ASR backup of the existing servers (assuming they're 2003), if not then you can force a DC to take over roles, rather than assign them, I've had to do it when a clients server has gone down, can't remember exactly the command but it's somewhere within roles in NTDSUTIL. can you give us some more info on the versions of OS's and exchange that you're running?

[sufu]

here we go: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/255504 towards the bottom there's a guide on seizing roles when the server with the roles is no longer available

[drpellypo]

Or you could just run it live? We do this, purely and simply because it's easier! Just means people get an extra option if they click the drop down box when they log on - but nobody ever does that anyway.

[njbennett122]

Thanks for the comments. I'll try a couple of those I think...

Apparently I can use a System State restore without any hardware issues, which may do the trick. Hoping it copies over all AD, DNS and master role settings, enabling me to run the server ‘stand alone’.

I'll also try the ASR method, as I never though of it at the time.

I tried seizing and assigning the roles, but to do this, the machine needs to connected to the existing domain for it to change fully? I’m reluctant to do this as I may end up demoting my live servers and have no master root server...

[sufu]

[ QUOTE ]

Thanks for the comments. I'll try a couple of those I think...

Apparently I can use a System State restore without any hardware issues, which may do the trick. Hoping it copies over all AD, DNS and master role settings, enabling me to run the server ‘stand alone’.

I'll also try the ASR method, as I never though of it at the time.

I tried seizing and assigning the roles, but to do this, the machine needs to connected to the existing domain for it to change fully? I’m reluctant to do this as I may end up demoting my live servers and have no master root server...

[/ QUOTE ]

if you disconnect it from the network before seizing roles, and ensure they remain on a seperate physical or logical network once reconnected and it will be ok, assuming this test work is to remain a seperate entity from your main network and is only intended to duplicate your existing setup, and not work within it. As for the ASR restore, it's pretty much standard fare for me when doing server migrations to new hardware, so you'll have no major issues, probably just a few niggles which google will no doubt be able to help with