Chapter 8: Designing the SiteTopology

MICROSOFT EXAM OBJECTIVES COVERED IN THIS CHAPTER:

• Design an Active Directory directory service site topology.

  • Design sites.

  • Identify site links.

• Design an Active Directory implementation plan.

  • Design the placement of domain controllers and global catalog servers.

  • Plan the placement of flexible operations master roles.

  • Select the domain controller creation process.

• Specify the server specifications to meet system requirements.

So far, we have dealt with Active Directory and the design process involved in creating an efficient Active Directory infrastructure. Our primary focus was to ease the administrative burden . The technologies-that are available for use within an Active Directory environment allow administrators to design their directory service so that they will be able to easily locate and maintain objects no matter which type of administrative model is employed. By using Group Policy objects (GPOs), they can automate some of the administrative functions so that they can use their time more productively.

Starting with this chapter, we will discuss the physical components of Active Directory and the network infrastructure. Whereas the Active Directory design is based on the administrative needs of the organization, the network infrastructure design is based upon the need to effectively support Active Directory. If the network infrastructure does not support the needs of the directory service, the system will function poorly and users will not be happy with the decision to move to Active Directory.

Site topology is the first part of the network infrastructure that we will visit. Although the objects that make up the site topology are logical objects within Active Directory, they are based on the physical subnets within the network. We will also cover how to determine where site boundaries are required and the links that define the replication topology.

Domain controller and Global Catalog placement is also an issue that needs to be addressed. Some sites will have domain controllers, whereas others will not. There will be domain controllers that hold the single master operations roles, and you will need to determine which servers will hold those roles. When deciding upon which servers will provide domain controller and Global Catalog services, you will need to take the hardware requirements to support the services into consideration.